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RECREATION'S 



OF 






i!0lUifti0a 0f l0«ms 



BY 



XENOPHON HAYWOOD 



AMSTERDAM, N. Y.. 

PRINTED AT THE ' RECOllDER ' OFFICE, 

1865. 



/Jo. U 



TO MY FRIENDS, 



THESE H XJ INI B IL, E EEinusiONS 



ARE RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED, 



BY THE AUTHOR. 



TO THE READER. 



As up the flowery paths of youth 
I passed life's dusty road along, 

I've sometimes cropped the flowers of truth, 
And dressed them up in words of song. 

Pleased thus my leisure hours to spend, 

Yet not for fame or sordid pelf, 
But with the hope to please a friend, 
Or selfishly to please myself. 

Years passed — and manuscripts were found 
Half-hidden in some dusty nook, 

Enough, if printed out and bound, 
To make, ia bulk at least, a book. 

" But why a book ? There is no need ; 

Already there are books enough. 
You would not gain the poet's meed 

By printing such unmeaning stuff." 

True, Mr. Critic, not for thee 

My verses to the type I lend ; 
Censure or praise, 'tis one to me, 

I am content to please my Friend. 



SCRIPTURE SKETCHES. 



ADAM. 

He stood beneath a bower of clustering palms 
Where ran the crystal Gihon. In the wave 
Was mirrored to his mind the work of God. 
His soul was joyous as it rose to Him, 
Whose goodness wag displayed in everything 
He saw and heai-d around him. And he sighed 
For some companionship — a kindred soul 
To chare God's bounties and enjoy with him. 
Of such a one he dreamed in his last sleep — 
Formed like himself, though lovelier. 

A new song 
Of joyous harmony now filled the air, 
As walked the happy pair through Eden's bowers. 
Now wandered they to the far distant glen 
Where flowed the Hiddekel. At eventide 
They gazed adoring on the countless stars ; 
At morn they listened to the song of birds, 
Or sought refreshment in the luscious fruit, 
Which hung in clusters on the bending boughs. 

Free in the exercise of noble powers, 
Were the primeval pair. Temptation's lure 
They might resist, yet free were they to yield — 
Thus timely of the penalty forewarned. 



SCRIPTURE SKETCHES. 



They, being tempted, fell ! and on the race, 

As on themselves, brought overwhelming woes ! 

Seemeth it strange that they should disregard 

The only prohibition ? Who, alas, 

Of all their progeny have not transgressed 

God's high commands ? So death has come on all, 

For all have sinned. 

But God, in mercy rich, 
So mingled blessings with the primal curse. 
That through his grace, man, guilty, fallen, lost, 
May find Redemption. Yea, may be restored 
To brighter joys than were in Eden lost. 
The hand of mercy even in the curse 
Was visible. The thorn has fragrant flowers. 
Rest Cometh to the weary, and the joys 
Of kindly sympathy for others' woes 
Were wanting, had there been no woes to heal. 
On the thick night that settled on the fall, 
There rose the star of Hope ! and guilty man 
By faith was pointei to the promised Seed, 
Strong to redeem and save ! 

In Adam lost, 
0, sinner, seek the Saviour. Grace and truth 
Through Him are given to the sons of men, 
And, by that grace, through faith that works by love, 
The lost may be restored to everlasting life. 



NOAH 



NOAH. 



Man's immortality was now transferred 
From Eartli to Heaven. Yet was probation given- 
Sometimes of centuries. But sin prevailed, 
And Faitli and Love were scarcely found on earth. 
Still Grod preserved his charch. Firm in the faith 
Enocu, m sweet communion, walked with God ; 
And, when bis mission here was all fulfilled, 
(jlod took him home to Heaven. 

Years rolled on, 
And millions thronged the thickly peopled earth. 
Majestic cities lined Euphrates' banks. 
And the dark rolling Tig .'is. Fallen man 
Forgot his Maker. Earth l;oca:ii3 corrupt, 
And God, whose judgments, tho' he beareth long, 
Will not forever slumber, from its face 
Resolved to sweep away the guilty race. 

Still he was merciful, and would preserve 
A seed to serve him. Righteous Noah lived 
And to a thoughtless multitude around 
Proclaimed the living God. But still they mocked - 
Still waxing worse and worse, " Go make an ark 
To bear thee safely on the whelming wave 
Which I will bring upon a sinning world.'' 
So spoke the Holy One, and Noah's faith 
Received the word in true obedience. 
To the command he yielded. Six score years 



10 SCRIPTURE SKETCHES. 



The builders toiled, and as tliey builded, mocked 
The madman that employed them. Noah's faith 
Was stronger than their mocking. Day by day 
He preached repentance, warned and wept and prayed. 

The work At length is finished. Two by two, 
Beasts, wild and tame, and birds, and creeping things, 
Enter the ark with Noah and his sons. 
Safe in the hands of Him who shut them in. 
Loud is the mirth at song and festival, 
And Noah's folly is the theme of song. 

But the sky gathers blackness, thunder ? roll. 
The fountains of the deep are broken up, 
And the rain falls in torrents. Dread alarm 
Seizes on every mind. The lightning's flash 
Shows the wild rolliog billows as they rise 
With whelming fury. Now they shriek for aid. 
To God, whose voice they slighted, now they cry, 
But 'tis too late ! To them, alas, no more 
The voice of mercy or the hand to save 
Will be extended. They despised reproof, 
And spurned the gracious call to life and light, 
And they that gracious call shall hear no more ! 
The Ark floats safely on the towering wave — 
The refuge of the faithful. They alone 
Comprise Earth's population. See, ah, seel 
Again the renovated earth appears. 
And the green olive leaf. The bow of peace 
Spans the dissolving cloud, and incense sweet 
Ascends from Earth's lone altar. 



JOB, 11 

Tliouglitless mun 
See shadowed in this great event, a day 
Yet future, -when the elements shall melt, 
And all that slumber in the dust shall wake. 
Then shall the sea give up its dead, the grave, 
To Him who conquered death shall yield its trust, 
And they who perished then, with all the race 
That throng 'successive generations, since that time, 
In crowded columns have gone down to death. 
Shall come to judgment. Where shall then be found 
A refuge from the tempest in that day ? 
Christ is the Ark of safety. In his love, 
Ere the storm breaks, may we a refuge find. 



JOB. 

On the green slopes of th' Idumean hills 
Job had his residence. His flocks and herds, 
By thousands numbered, brought him large increase, 
Of wealth and honors. Yet his humble so\il 
Acknowledged Grod, and in his heart 
His holy law was written. Could he bear 
Temptation's wily snares ? Beneath the rod 
Affliction deals on mortali, would his voice 
Still rise to God in thankfulness and praise ? 



12 SCRIPTURE SKETCHES. 



The trial is permitted. Saddest -^ocs 
Fall on the patriarch. From the hill 
His flocks are driven, and his wealth 
Fades like the mist away. Still doth his soul 
Hold fast on God. And when the tempest came 
Upon the house of feasting, and his sons 
And daughters were laid low in sudden death, 
His heart submissive bowed beneath the stroke, 
And in triumphant faith he blessed the Lord, 
Who gave and had a right t j take away. 

Still the foul spirit taunted. •' Skin for skin, 
Yea, all a man's possessions will he give 
To save his life. But touch his bone and flesh 
And he will curse thee." 

He whose ways are right- 
Who chastens for our benefit, once more 
Permitted a severer test. Bowed in the dust 
Still was his faith triumphant. •' What," he said, 
" Shall we at God's hand only good receive, 
And not have aught of evil?'' 

When his friends 
Came near and saw the greatness of his grief, 
They sat in silence. Oh, how weak are words 
To heal the spirit's anguish ! Fitter far, 
Their mute expressive sympathy, than words, 
Though fitly chosen. 

Shadowy and dim 
The light of revelation in the minds 



13 



Cf ancient worshippers. At sundry times 

God had revealed his will and they believed ; 

Yet how he could reserve the guilty soul 

Unto ?u day of retribution — how 

He in afflictioa's furnace oft doth try 

His children, that, like gold, they may become 

Refined and purified, they did not see. 

" Thou who hast raised the fallen,"(thus they spoke,) 
" Who hast found words of comfort for the woes 
Of other hearts, how faintest thou, Job ! 
Now that thyself art smitten? Who has seen 
The righteous suffer? Is it not thy sin 
For which God in his wrath now chastens thee ? 
No doubt thy wickedness is great. Thy bread 
Has not been given to the hungry, and the poor 
Have cried in vain for succor ; while the proud, 
The honorable man — he had the earth ! 
Therefore are snares about thee, and thy way 
Hath God hedged up. Acquaint thyself with Him 
And be at peace, so good shall come to thee. 

The Patriarch answered, " 0, that I but knew 
Where I might find Him. I would plead my cause 
Before my Maker. But He knows my way, 
And verily I shall come forth as gold 
When he hath tried me. For if e'er mj hand 
Was shut against the needy, if the poor 
The fatherless, and he that had no help, 
Found not[at any time a friend in me, 



14 SCKlPTUllE SKETCHES. 



Then let mine arm fall I'r.jm its shoulder-blade, 
And let my tongue be mute. My trust is firm 
That he will still uphold aud comfort me, 
But though lie slay me. I will trust in Him — 
And Faith and Hope shall triumph. For I know 
That my lledecmer livcth ! And, though worms 
May feed upon this body, in my fl^sk 
I shall see God." 

The high and holy One 
Bent from his throne, complacently, to bless 
His tried and faithful servant. Peace and joy 
.Succeeded to Afiliction's gloomy night, 
And life eternal to the nieht of death. 



LOT. 

Westward they journeyed from Chaldean Ur, 
At the divine command. To Abram's seed 
Was Canaan promised, and he went in faith, 
Not knowing whither. Lot, his brother's son, 
Accompanied — Each with his flocks and herds- 
A numerous band. At Bethel they sojonrn 
And build an altar to the living God. 
Faithful and true, in harmony they lived 



LOT. 15 

With their Phenician neighbors. But a strife 
Arose between the herdsmen. Selfishness, 
That bane of human happiness, prevailed 
To mar, as it will always mar, the joys 
Of social life. The patriarch's noble heart 
Devised a remedy. Grace had subdued 
The selfish wish that only seeks his own 
And not another's good, and thus to Lot 
The Father of the faithful kindly spake : 

" Choose first thy portion. Let there be no strife 
For we are brethren. Go thou to the right 
Aad I will take the left. Or where thou wilt 
Choose first thy heritage in all the land." 

Ye who politeness teach, or that inquire 
" "Who is the gentleman ?" a model here 
Behold in Abraham. And when thy right 
Thou givest up, to serve another first. 
See if thou do it gracefully as he. 

Lot chose the plain of Jordan. Sodom there 

Towered in majestic greatness, and the vale 

Was rich and beautiful, but was it well 

Lot, for thee, a pilgrim here on earth, 

To pitch thy tent toward Sodom. When the charm 

.Of worldly grandeur drags the spirit down, 

And luxury invites the willing heart, 

How prone are we to fall. How much we need 

The infiuence of right example here 

To lead us up toward heaven. Happier he 



16 SCRIPTORE SKETCUES. 



Who breathes the atmosphere of bleakest hills 
If there God's altar burnetii, than to dwell 
Like Lot in Sodom, with their wicked deeds 
Vexing his righteous soul from day to day. 

Rich were the blessings on these eitios shed, 
And much had they abused them. They were doomed 
By Him who rules in righteousness, to die. 
Yet would his sparing mercy not destroy 
The righteous with the wicked. Lot was warned 
By messenger from heaven. '' Thou and thine 
Thy sons and daughters — whatsoe'er thon hast, 
Let them go forth, for God will now destroy 
This wicked city." 

Fain would he persuade 
His sons-in-law to seek a refuge too. 
But unto them he seemed as one who mocked. 
Dear was his cherished home, nor strong his faith 
As Abraham's, to go at God's command, 
And still he lingered. But the turbid fires 
That should consume the cities of the plain 
Were kindling. And a spirit hand was sent 
To lead him out. " Escape now for your life," 
He said, — " Stay not in all the plain, 
Flee to the mountain lest yc be consumed." 

Then fell the wrath of heaven, in rain of fire. 
On the devoted cities. Pitchy flames 
Went up from all the plain, o'erwhelming all 
In common ruin ! 



17 



Silence dark and deep. 
Broods o'er the waters of a turbid lake, 
Where the proud cities late in splendor stood ! 
She, too, the wife of Lot, whose heart turned back 
To Sodom's pleasures, and in unbelief 
Longed to return, incrusted in a mass 
Of indurated salt, stands to show forth 
God's righteous rule of mercy ; that His call 
To safety and to life will not avail, 
While unbelief still draws the longing heart 
Back to its sins. 

So when on sea and land. 
With cloud invested and with rainbow crowned. 
Shall stand the mighty angel to proclaim 
That time shall be no longer, where, 0, where 
Shall guilty men find refuge ? Will the rocks 
And mountains hide them from the wrath of Him 
That sitteth on the throne ? Even Sodom's flames 
Were but a spark to the consuming fire 
Of burning worlds ! 

But while his mercy calls 
To lost and ruined sinners to escape, 
And find a refuge in the sacred mount 
Of his forgiving grace, 0, may our souls 
Accept the gracious ofi'er. In His strength 
May we go forward, and with steady eye 
Look to the Cross. Nor, lingering, backward turn 
To sin's vain pleasures, lest we be consumed. 



18 SCRIPTURE SKETCHES. 



JOSEPH. 

" Behold, the dreamer cometh !" So they spoke 
As on a slope of Dothan's vine clad hills, 
The sons of Jacob watched their numerous herds. 
Joseph, the younger born and best belored, 
Was sent on kindly errand. " Go and see 
If it be well with them and bring me word." 
Prompt at his father's call he took his way 
Glad and rejoicing in the varied charms — 
The sights and sounds of nature. Songs of birda, 
The running waters and the grassy hills, 
Combine to animate and cheer his soul. 

His cheerful greeting met no kind return. 
Envy and hate had sundered the sweet ties 
Of natural affection. Murder foul 
Was their malicious purpose ! But a band 
Appeared in view. Their laden camels came 
From the green hills of Midian, with fruits 
For the rich cities on the banks of Nile. 
At sight of them there flashes a bright thought 
Across the mind of Judah — there is gain 
By selling Joseph, and his lofty dreams, 
With the same certainty as by his death 
Shall prove but lying visions. 

Eagerly 
They close the contract, and the hated one 
Divested of his many-colored coat, 
Is on his way to Egypt ! But the deed 



JOSEPH. 19 

Unnatural and base, must be concealed 

From the fond father. So the coat, blood-stained, 

Is brought with lip deceitful, as they say, 

" This garment we have found. Canst thou now tell 

If it be Joseph's ? Then did Jacob's heart 

Sink in consuming anguish. " 'Tis my son's," 

The good man said, " Joseph no doubt is slain 

By evil beasts. Comfort and hope no more 

Are mine on earth." 

Filial ingratitude ! 
What crime on earth can so the soul deform, 
Or mark sin's blighting power ? To him they owed 
Life and the countless blessings it may bring. 
To him they gave the cup]of bitter grief! 
But let us follow Joseph, as from home 
And all the clustering tender ties of youth, 
The strangers bear him onward. In his bonds 
And in the long way's loneliness there is a light 
Upon his pathway — 'tis the star of Hope. 
There is in the young heart a buoyancy 
Which lifts it o'er affliction's troubled waves 
While age sinks under them. 

Egypt's green vale 
Opens in loveliness upon his view, 
And the majestic Nile. And though a slave 
In foreign land, far from the friends of home, 
A holy calm within his bosom reigns, 
For God is with him. Confidence and love. 
He wins from all around him. But a hand 



20 SCRIPTURE SKETCHES. 



Unseen by mortals, so controls and guides 
The ways of man, as shall the most conduce 
To work God's gracious purposes. His mind 
Surveys at once the utmost range of things, 
And while he leaves the human will still free, 
And holds his creatures for their every act 
Accountable, yet shall the wrath of man 
Be made to praise Him. 

In a gloomy cell 
Of the king's prison — for another's crime, 
Joseph is cast. But still he favor finds 
And comfort too ; — for happiness flows not 
From outward circumstance, but is a spring 
Whose gushing fountain is within the soul. 

In dreams was Pharaoh warned of famiue sore 
That should prevail in Egypt. Joseph came, 
Inspired with wisdom from above, and gave 
Wise counsel to the king. Into his hand 
Was given charge respecting the full years, 
And the seven years of famine. Vast the stores, 
Gathered and garnered by his orders, while 
The land brought forth abundantly . At length 
The blight and mildew settled on the fields, 
And ghastly famine spread his raven wing 
O'er many nations. Even Canaan's hills 
Were crisp and barren, and the stay of life 
Was in the treasure houses of the Nile. 

Thither the ten sons of the patriarch 



JOSEPH 



21 



"Went down to buy. With money in their hand 
They stood before the Governor. How changed, 
How greatly changed the scene since last they met ! 
Well did he recognize the suppliants, 
But treated them as spies. For he would prove 
Their filial feelings, and he fain wonld know 
How fared his brother Benjamin. 

But time 
Would surely fail to tell of all the arts 
By which he drew, while yet they knew him not, 
The frank confession of their former guilt. 
As conscience woke within them. Or to paint 
The tender scene, when the long treasured tears 
Broke forth, as Benjamin and Joseph met, — 
The lost and loved ones. Aged Israel, too, 
Heard the glad tidings in his distant home. 
And yet saw days of comfort. These we pass 
To speak of Joseph as the Model Man. 
Let others boast of human progress ; where 
In this world's history is found the man 
Of nobler bearing, in whatever sphere 
Of honor, suffering, or duty, he 
Was called to act. In youth, frank, cheerful, kind ; 
In deepest woes submissive, and in power 
Humble and courteous ; but more than all 
Returning good for evil, love for hate. 
By pleasure unseduced, unbribed by gain, 
In every form of excellence a Man. 



99t 



SCRIPTURE SKETCHES. 



MOSES. 

Four centuries had Israel's race beheld 
Nile in its overflowings. Other kings 
Beheld with jealous eye the stranger race 
And grievously oppressed them. By their aid 
Cities were built, which time had ne'er destroyed, 
But for the conqueror's desolating tread. 
Still did they multiply. His guardian care, 
Who has in every age his church preserved, 
Was over them to rescue and to save. 

What means that little basket in the flags ? 
And what that Hebrew damsel watching near ? 
Lo, from the palace comes with queenly grace 
A princess and her maidens. In her arms 
She takes the little one, and in her heart 
The kindling fiame of kind compassion glows. 
The smiling infant on a mother's breast 
Nestles in safety. Moses shall he be called, 
And nursed for royal honors. God provides j 
Instruction for the leader of his tribes. 

But all the learning of Egyptian courts 
Is not true wisdom. On his mission bent. 
He went forth, trusting in his own right arm, 
To rescue Israel. Seeing two at strife 
iVToses. with zeal untempered, as we see 
In furious zealots who unwisely seek 
To cure some evil by imprudent means, 



MOSES. 23 

And thus increase tlie evil, would avenge 
The Hebrew's wrong. On Midiaa's distant hills 
Through forty years of discipline and toil 
He learned sublimer lessons — learned to trust 
For strength and guidance to the unseen hand 
That formed the world. He in the burning bush 
Revealed himself to Moses and proclaimed 
Deliverance for his people. Humble, meek, 
Distrusting his own fitness, he obeyed ; 
And, in God's strength, went forth to Israel, 
To be a Leader, Lawgiver and Judge. 

Before the throne of Pharaoh, Moses stood 

Demanding for his people, burthened, crushed, 

Release from their oppression. To the call 

Made in the name of the Most High, the king 

Refused to listen. Then on all the land 

There came destructive plagues, till men should know 

That mightiest kings are only powerful 

As God permits them. Waters turned to blood, 

Reptiles in loathsome swarms, the pestilence, 

Storms and thick darkness, and more dreadful still, 

The work of the death-angel, all proclaimed 

The power of God to punish or to save. 

The paschal lamb was slain, and with the blood 
The door-posts had been sprinkled. Type of Him 
"Who gave himself to die, so that his blood 
Sprinkled upon the soul might save from death. 

And now the mighty host are on their way 



24 SCRIPTURE SKETCHES. 



Led by the fiery cloud. T'lrough the Red Sea 
They safely pass — a wall it was to them, 
To the pursuing host of Pharaoh— death ! 

A desert lies before them. Weak iu faith 
They murmur against Moses in their thirst, 
And see no way provided for their bread. 
But God cares for his people — heals the streams 
By sin made bitter, and provides for food 
The bread of heaven. 

Sinai's awful form 
Rises before them, and to thoughts sublime 
Lifts up their soul. Upon its summit rests 
The cloud of darkness, where the Eternal One 
Veils his o'erwhelming glory, while he gives 
The holy law to Moses. Forty days 
He tabernacled there, and there received 
Man's rule of duty for all time to come. 
Prone were the people to their idols still. 
E'en at the foot of Horeb they rebelled, 
And with their murmurings provoked the Lord 
At Massah and at Meribah. From the rock 
A cooling stream flowed out and followed them. 
And quails were sent for meat ; but still their hearts 
Turned back to Egypt. They were not yet weaned 
From its idolatries. Long were the years 
Of desert life, and various the deaths 
Which swept that generation from the earth. 
Through all the trials of the lengthened way 



MOSES. 25 

Moses, in meekness and in wisdom , judged, 
Sustained and counselled them. Borne graciously 
Through an eventful, long and useful life, 
The Prophot rested. Cradled in the Nile, 
On Pisgah's top his dying couch he spread. 
God raised him up to do a mighty work. 
Which, having well performed, and having seen 
The land of promise where the tribes should rest, 
He calls his servant home. 

Meek, humble soul, 
Who in life's weary desert long hast toiled, 
Like Moses, with the pi'omised land in view, 
Thou sha t find comfort in the dying hour, 
Fearless of Jordan's wave that rolls between. 



NAOMI. 

Lean was the harvest in Ephratah's fields 
And famine's woes were feared. Feeble in faith, 
Perhaps too much distrusting Grod, whose hand, 
Liberal in blessings, had the manna sent, 
To feed his fathers iu the wilderness, 
Elimelech went forth, he and his sons, 
To dwell in Moab. His dear partner, too, 
Naomi, went. Home, friends and kindred, all 



26 SCRIPTURE SKETCHES. 



Were given up — yea, more, the altar's flame 

Ascended not in Moab, save to gods 

Which their own hands had made. So have I seen 

A household group to the far west pass on, 

By avarice prompted. Leaving those dear scenes 

And old associations, where in youth 

The crystal founts of knowledge in the schools 

Were free to all, and where the sabhath bell 

Called them to worship, will they soon forget 

In their new prairie home, those earlier joys ? 

And will the pleasure of increasing wealth 

Outweigh the blessings of their early home ? 

But not these sad disquietudes alone 

Naomi suffered, In domestic life 

There is a charm, which, e'en in Moab's land, 

Or on the waste wild prairies might inspire 

A sacred quiet in the mother's heart. 

But ah , what home so sacred or so sweet 

That death will not disquiet, 

In the grave 
Naomi's husband rested and her sons ! 
She, a lone widow, after ten year's stay. 
Turned back the way to Judah. With her went 
Orpah and Ruth, her daughters, widowed ones, 
Themselves afflicted, weak, yet with the balm 
Of sympathy they soothed Naomi's woes. 
Dear to her broken spirit were they, yet 
She urged them to return. For well she knew 



NAOMI 



How Strong the ties of country, and the lines 

Long since writ on her memory were stilP*there 

Sad lines of sorrow— as her heart went back 

To Israel's altars and to Israel's God. 

" Return loved ones," she said, " why shonld you go 

Unto a laud of strangers ? Hasten back 

To the green hills of Moab ; to your friends, 

And to the altars where your fathers bowed. 

What shall these weak ones do ? There is their home, 

Their kindred, their associates. There they loved, 

And there the ashes of the loved ones rest. 

Before them is the Israelitish race. 

Long by their nation hated. Poverty 

And toil and sorrow on Judea's hilla 

Seemed but their future portion. 

Mourning soul 
Who by the spirit led— sick of thy sin- 
Hast turned one look toward Canaan, here behold 
A trial like thine own. If to the cross 
Thou wilt retire, and in a Savior's love 
Seek refuge, here the world presents her claims, 
Inviting thee to make her joys thy choice. 
But be assured, mourner, thou must yield 
One or the other ; for thou canst not dwell 
In Moab and in Judah. Wilt thou then 
Turn to thy idols, and with Orpah go 
Back to the gods that cannot help or save, 
Or wilt thou cling with the confiding Ruth 



28 SCRIPTURE SKETCHES. 

To Zion's sacrod altars ? " Where you dwell, 
Disciple of the Savior," will yju say? 
" Shall be my home ; your people shall be mine, 
And mine the liviug God whom yoxi adoie." 



ELIJAH. 

" Thus saith the Lord, 0, Ahab, rain nor dew 
Shall in these years come only at my word." 
So spake Elijah, prophet of the Lord, 
To Israel's king. ' Then by divine command, 
He sought a refuge near the flowing brook, 
Where the wild ravens fed him, Kich in faith, 
He turned from wealth and honors, which so oft 
Drag the soul downward and away from Heaven. 
Trusting in God, he walked with single eye, 
Obedient to his will. 

At Zarephath 
He shared the widow's morsel with her son. 
Whose bread and oil fail uot, as God appoints, 
Till rain comes down on Israel. Her faith 
Was tried and triumphed. From the prophet's hand 
Her only son, restored to life again. 



ELIJAH, 29 

Slie joyfully received. Soul, saved by grace, 
From a still deeper slumber tbou art raised. 
And ye wlio, lone and desolate, are called 
To bear life's weary burden, trust in Grod, 
Who for the deepest woes has healing balm. 

Three times the annual harvest season came, 
But still terrific famine scourged the land ; 
For long and grievously had Israel sinned — 
Turning away to idols. Nor would He 
Who gave the law to Moses, long delay 
To vindicate the honor of that law. 
His power and goodness oft had been displayed, 
And as his mercies will not melt nor move. 
He brings deserved correction. Will their gods 
In whom they trusted, bring deliverance now ? 
" Gather the prophets of your senseless gods, 
To Carmel bring the hosts of Baal's priests, 
And clioose__the God ye will hereafter serve. 
Build now your altars ; offer sacrifice, 
Let^him be God that answereth by fire." 

Thus spake[Elijah to the multitude, 
And all the people answered, "it is well." 
From morn till noon the priests of Baal cried, 
But ah, there came no answer ; vain the call 
To senseless gods that will not help nor hear. 

The time of evening sacrifice drew near. 
And now the prophet s offering was laid 



30 SCRIPTURE SKETCHES. 



Upon the altar. On his God he called — 

The living God, who hears and answers prayer ; 

And holy fire upon the altar fell, 

Consuming both the offering and it. 

From the assembled host a shout went uj) — 

" He is the God ! The Lord, He is the God !'' 

The prophet stood on Carmel, and beheld 
Its flowery summit desert. All around j 
Was drought and barrenness. The leaf 
Was withered on the palm, the harvest hopes 
Were blasted, and instead of the full sheaf. 
The clustering vintage and the grassy mead, 
All, all was sear and desolate and dead. 
The genial rains of heaven had been withheld, 
And Israel scourged for her idolatries. 
But He who waiteth to bo gracious — He, 
Who will not always chide, who hears the cry 
Of humble penitence and faith, He saw 
And he had mercy. " Lighter than our sins 
Are all his judgments ;" so might Israel say, 
And so may all who feel affliction now. 

Strong was Elijah's faith. Well did he know 
That Israel's helper was the living God, 
And trusted that his promise should not fail. 
Once and again he bowed before the Lord, 
And yet there came no answer. Still the sky 
Was brass above ; the sterile earth was dust. 
The prophet's faith failed not, With fervent zeal 



ELIJA n. 31 

He made bis supplication, till His hand 
Whose wisdom tries his people ere he gives, 
Shed down the blessing. 

Lo, the cloud appears, 
And on the thirsty earth the rain distils 
In rich profusion. Canaan's streams again 
Roll onward in their channels, and the hills 
In vine-clad loveliness again appear. 

Christian, desponding, faithless, learn to trace 

The analogies of nature. When the^Church 

Forgets dependence, and rebellious proves, 

God sends chastisements. Spiritual drought 

Comes o'er the plants which once were green and fair, 

And they are fruitless. Israel's verdure fades, 

The hill of Zion less inviting seems, 

And Sharon's rosD less lovely. But if Faith 

Like that the prophet exercised, send up 

Its fervent persevering prayers to Heaven, 

It shall prevail. The full fraught cloud shall rise 

From the exhaustless ocean of his love. 

Rich with the showers of mercy. Plants of grace 

Shall flourish in the garden of the Lord, 

And the wild desert blossom as the rose. 



32 SCRIPTUUE SKETCHES. 



DANIEL. 

The captive tribes by dark Euphrates' stream 
Oft wandered forth to weep. In Zion's songs 
They found no pleasure, and their tuneless harps 
Were on the willows. "War's destructive scourge 
Had desolated fair Judea's plains 
And they could not forget Jerusalem — 
The sacred city, broken down and waste 
And overrun by strangers. E'en the house 
Where were the spread wings of the cherubim, 
Was burned with fire. 

The proud Chaldean king, 
Though " wearied in the greatness of his way," 
Had stretched his arm of conquest to the sea, 
And Israel's conquered tribes their treasures gave 
To grace unha!lowed temples, and their necks 
To the hard yoke of bondage. In the halls 
Of Babylon's proud monarch princes bowed, 
Almost esteeming royalty divine. 

There captive queens, whose grace and beauty charmed. 
And vanquished kings, subdued in battle, wore 
The badge of servitude ; and in appointed spheres 
They did the monarch's bidding. 

There was found 
Among the Jewish captives one whose worth 
Deportment, wisdom, beauty, all combined 
To give him favor in the palace halls. 



DANIEL, 33 

Trusting in God and honoring his name, 

He felt how higher than all earthly rule 

Is the divine command. And though to die 

Wei-e the allotted penalty, his heart 

Was fixed in truth. Nor would he swerve from right 

Though guilt might raise him to a monarch's throne. 

The dainty meats and the delicious wine 

Of the king s table, the young Hebrew shunned 

As hurtful luxuries, and not to gods 

Such as the heathen worshipped would he bow. 

In dreams and visions of the night, the Lord 

Sometimes made known his will, and taught proud man 

That kings and potentates are, in his hand, 

But ministers of mercy or of wrath — 

So dreamed the monarch. And his troubled soul 

Kefuscd his wonted sleep. But not the dream 

Nor the interpretation could be told 

By all his wise magicians. Then was brought 

The Jewish Daniel — Belteshazzar called — 

Into the royal presence. " Give to God," 

The prophet said, " The honor due his name. 

He only can reveal to mortal man 

"What shall hereafter be. To thee is given 

Rule over many nations, and thy power 

Is mighty in the earth. But thou shalt fall, 

And other kingdoms shall successive rise 

To triumph for a time and pass away. 

The stone cut from the mountain which thou sawest, 

0, king, expandmg till it filled the earth. 

This ti'uth proclaims : A kingdom will the Lord 



SCRIPTURE SKETCHES. 34: 

Establish in the earth that shall endure 
Forever." (As in vision afterwards 
When God, attentive to the prophet's prayer, 
Sent Gabriel to reveal the glorious things 
Ordained concerning Zion. Seventy weeks 
Should bring in everlasting righteousness 
And the rich blessings of Messiah's reign.) 

" Now I know of a truth," the monarch said, 

As down he reverently bowed, " thy God, 

0, Daniel, is the Lord of kings, and He 

Alone revealeth what is yet to be." 

Ah, what can move the stony heart of man ? 

Nor miracles nor judgments shall subdue, 

Nor mercies melt it. Thy sweet influence, 

Subduing Spirit, and thy grace alone, 

Can bow that stubborn thing unto thy power, 

Nebuchadnezzar, still unhumbled, lived. 

Till God rebuked his pride and drove him forth 

To learn, among the grazing herd, that power, 

And influence and wealth are only given 

To man, the creature of his hand, in trust, 

Chaldean glory fades. Tho Median king 

Keigns in the palaces of Babylon. 

But still is Israel captive. Daniel stood 

Before Darius, first in honor's rank, 

Yet humbly worshipping the Lord his God. 

Neither the pomp of courts, nor fear of beastsy 

Caged and ferocious, could seduce his soul 

From simple, trusting faith. His was a peace 



DANIEL. 35 

That honor, wealth, or e'en prophetic gifts 
Could ne'er confer ; a happiness that time, 
With its corroding trials could not mar. 

Thou, who seest all our weakness, grant ua grace, 
That 'mid earth's sore temptation we may be 
Upheld and strengthened, and, like Daniel, rest, 
And, with the saints of God, stand in our lot. 
When dajs that measure time shall have an end. 



STEPHEN. 



The Babe of Bethlehem, the Prince^of Peace, 
Had^borne oir sorrows, and^upon'the cross j 
Had made atonement for the sins of man. 
Triumphing over death, He captive led 
Captivity, and brought most precious gifts 
Even for his enemies. The Comforter, 
Proceeding from the Father and the Son, 
Who, with convincing energy, on human hearts, 
Wrought to subdue and influence^and guide, 



Came to abide forever. 

Thus did Christ 
Set up his kingdom in the world and give 



36 SCRIPTURE SKETCHES. 



The great commission to the church on earth 
To haste its progress onward. On that church 
The Spirit's power was felt, and Truth divine 
Was made effectual in bringing souls 
Long bound in chains of sin, into the light 
And liberty wherewith Christ maketh free. 
Great grace prevail'd, and thousands day by day 
Were added to the Lord. 

Strong in the faith, 
And wise in spirit, Stephen boldly stood, 
Keady to die, if need be, for the truth. 
Wisdom and truth dwelt in his earnest words 
Which they could neither gainsay nor resist. 
Yet their rebellious hearts, with malice steel'd 
Pressed onward to destroy. False witnesses 
Charg'd him with blasphemy ; and as they brought 
This faithful witness to the High Priest's Court,) 
Celestial radiance lights his soul, and peace 
Which passeth understanding. 

From the time 
When God call'd Abraham, to bless through him 
The families of Earth, to the Just One 
Whom they had crucified, did he recount 
Their nation's history. " The Holy Ghost, 
As did your fathers, so do ye resist ; 
And as they slew the prophets, ye, more vile, 
Have murdered Him whose coming they foretold." 
Cut to the heart, but not subdued to love, 
With gnashing teeth they rushed with one accord 



STEPHEN. 37 



And dragged him forth to stone bim. Stephen stood 

Serene as the blue heavens at the evening hour, 

Through which the glory of the Heavenly world 

Broke on his view. Steadfastly looking up 

He saw Heaven open, and the Son of Man 

In tho bright radiance of Divinity. 

So honored was the martyr in his death, 

And so new proof was given of the truth 

Of Eesurrection. 

To the open plain 
Was Stephen led, while shouts of frenzied joy 
Told how they felt their triumph now complete. 
But not alone the ignorant and vile 
Made up the zealous crowd whose eager hands 
Stoned the blasphemer. Learned Saul was there 
And, in consenting to the murderous deed, 
Thought verily he did God service. Ah, 
How changed his views when on the weary way, 
Still breathing slaughter to the hated sect, 
And dragging to the prison and to death 
The followers of the Crucified, he saw 
The heavenly vision. 

Let the rabble shout. 
The crime is theirs ; but then that Martyr's death 
Shall help build up the kingdom of our Lord. 
He makes the wrath of mau to praise Him, brings 
On]_their own heads the deeds of wicked men— 
And so controls, that midst the rise and^fall 



38 SCRIPTURE SKETCHES. 



Of Earth's contending nations, over all 
Shall rise a kingdom that shall never end. 
How died the martyr ? Meekly kneeling down, 
He, in the spirit of his Master prayed — 
" Lay not, Lord, this sin unto their charge," 
And when he had said this he fell asleep. 

Well had the Savior to his followers said 

" Fear ye not them that only have the power 

To kill the body." What does it avail 

Tho' this clay tenement be battered down 

By murderous hands ? What tho' the flames devour ? 

They shall become unto the ransom'd soul 

Elijah's chariot wafting him to Heaven. 

So may I live, with such a pattern given. 
Near to my Savior still, and near to Heaven. 
So may I die — when, how, as seemeth best, 
•' For so he^giveth his beloved rest." 



PAUL AT ATHENS. 39 



PAUL AT ATHENS, 

He waited for his fellows. Yet awhile 
They taried at Berea, and proclaimed 
The Gospel message. Amidst Grecian towers 
And splendid_temples the Apostle walked, 
And witnessing the gross idolatries 
Of the Athenians, renowned and wise, 
His[^heart was moved to pity ; for he saw 
The living God dishonored, and the light, 
Which in^His works reveals the Deity, 
Obscured bysuperstition. 

Day by day, 
He shunned not to declare the way of truth. 
Though the soul-humbling doctrine of the cross 
Was folly to the Greek, and to the Jew 
A stone of stumbling. Still they fain would hear 
What this new doctrine was, and great the throng 
That gathered on Mars Hill — the place of courts, 
To hear the Hebrew speaker. Paul arose 
And to the Greeks declared^the Unknown God. 

Thus far philosophy had led them. They had learned 

(How could they otherwise,; that this fair world, 

With all the various forms of life and love 

So wonderfully displayed, the rolling spheres, 

And man — intelligent, aspiring man — 

That these made not themselves. Reason declared 

That there must be a God, a power supreme, 



40 SCniPTURE SKETCHES. 



Whom man sliould fear and worship. But their hearts 

Were dark indeed and their conceptions low. 

Philosophy could never comprehend 

The mysteries of Redemption ; nor the mind, 

Wearied with vain conjectures, could it point 

To those fair fields of immortality 

Which bloom forever. These alone to man 

The glorious " day-spring from on high " reveals. 

Proud sceptics, ye who in the gloomy night 
Of your own wisdom sit, and sneer at those 
Who look for life beyond the cheerless tomb, 
Climb the Athenian hill and learn of Paul 
Sublimer wisdom. " Or if Zion's hill 
Delight you more,'' this day the gospel brings 
The same soul- cheering, soul-subduing thoughts, 
To all who hear it. 

In sublimer words 
Than e'er Athenian sages uttered, Paul 
Declared to them the God that made the world, 
In temples made with hands he dwelleth not, 
Nor needeth he our worship, for he gives to all 
Whate'er of good his creatures here possess* 
He is around us in our daily walk, 
And in the crowd ; and when we sink in sleep 
He guards us still. In Him we live and move. 
In Him we have our being. Yet, alas ! 
The foolish heart of man, in love with sin. 
Is prone to wander, seeking not the Lord, 
Till grace inclines it. Rich that grace and free. 



PAUL AT ATHENS. 41 



It offers pardon to the penitent, and gives 
The gracious promise of eternal life, 

To them that seek the Lord and do his will. 
The days of ignorance are past ; the light 
Revealing Christ's redeeming love, reveals 
With equal clearness God's most righteaus will, 
That men should everywhere repent. Because 
A day he hath appointed, when in clouds 
Of awful grandeur shall the Judge appear, 
And summon both the living and the dead 
To judgment. He who died on Calvary, 
Becoming the first fruits of them that slept, 
Hath given assurance that the dead shall rise. 
And in that awful day it will be found 
That all God's law is holy, just and good ; 
And those that violate that law, can hope 
For pardon only through that moral change, 
Wrought by the holy spirit, which shall work 
Repentance in the soul, and faith, and love. 

Savior divine ! baptize our souls anew 
With thy life-giving spirit. In the way 
Of life and peace, 0, lead us ; may cur lot 
Be with thy humble followers ; and as the vine 
Gives to the branches life and nourishment, 
Making them fruitful, so do thou inspire 
Our hearts in holy ardor, that in thee, 
With sanctified emotions we may live 
A life of faith — do thy most holy will, 
And have our endless being in thy love. 



42 SCRIPTURE SKETCHES. 



THE GOLDEN CALF. 

Long time the leader of the chosen tribes 
Remained on Sinai. " Has he brought us out 
Thus to forsake us in the wilderness ? 
Was not the teeming valley of the Nile — 
The fruits and flesh-pots more to be desired 
Than this wild desert ? Though our daily toil 
Was heavy, yet we almost learned to love 
Our wonted labor. Come and make us gods 
Less terrible than the invisible 
Whose voice made Sinai tremble. Make us gods 
Such as in Egypts sacred temples dwell." 

Thus spake the erring tribes, and Aaron gave 
A ready ear to their profane request ; 
Their ornaments of gold were freely given 
And lo, a molten calf, like Egypt's gods, 
Stood up before them. 

Strange, that in the sight 
Of Sinai's smoke, where the great Infinite 
Had just displayed His glory, as his power 
Had recently been shown at the Red Sea, 
They still should cling to idols. And how just 
The stern command of Mosea. On the wave 
He strewed the crushed and senseless idol's dust, 



THE GOLDEN CALF. 43 



And made the people drink it. Strange that He 
Whose name they thus dishonored, still should spare 
And not in justice smite them. 

Stranger still 
That men still bow to Mammon, worshid gold 
Whether in fashion as a calf, or stamped 
With curious device, and barter peace, 
And e'en their hope of Heaven, that they may see 
Their wealth increasing ! With what eager haste 
They chase the darling phantoms, though their lure 
Is down to death.' Yet this idolatry 
This Mammon worship is as near the light 
Of God's abounding manifested grace. 
As Sinai's vale. Yea, from that awful mount 
There beamed less radiant glory than on us 
From Calvary and Zion. Heavenly love 
Transcendent, infinite, has been displayed. 
To lead men up to higher, holier life. 
Yet have they grovelled in the dust, and turned away 
From Him that speaks from Heaven, and on His law 
Profanely trampled^ 

In the oppressor's hand 
Are offerings for the idol ; and the gain 
That comes from fraud, whatever guise it wears, 
Is Mammon's lure to turn away the heart 
From God, our Maker. Why should mortal man. 
Whose breath is in his nostrils, toil for gold, 
If but to hoard it ? Will it give relief 
When fever rages ? Will it stay the shaft 
Of Death, the conqueror ? 



44 SCRIPTURE SKETCHES. 

All thy precious gifts 
Thou merciful Bestower, may we prize, 
And, in unfeigned thankfulness, receive 
And as good stewards use them. But our minds, 
Wilt thou preserve from that insatiate lust, 
That covetous desire for wealth, which leads 
To do our neighbor wrong, and turns the heart 
From Thee and duty. If thick darkness veil 
Thy sacred presence, and our waiting souls 
Grow weary and impatient, give us faith, 
That we may trust canfidingly in Thee, 
Till light arise in darkness, and reveal 
A Maker merciful, and just, and good, 



ALBUM VEKSES. 45 



ALBUM VERSES. 



TO MRS. C. 11. 



I love to write in Albums, it affords 

An opportunity to tell my friends 

(Some homely truths, which they may treasure up 

And turn, perhaps, to good account hereafter. 

Truth is not scarce indeed, nor can I trace 

Lines of superior wisdom ; but I know 

These Albums are the caskets where are kept 

The offerings of friendship. Not indeed 

The choicest gems of that celestial mine — 

They are locked up in hearts. But passing on 

O'er life's uneven journey, oft we meet 

Some whom we would not quite forget, whose thoughts, 

In prose or poesy, pass for all they're worth. 

Too long have Albums trifled. Flattering words 
To please some vain one's ear, so oft are seen 
Within these gilded covers, that the name 
Has been dishonored, and of serious thoughts 
None were expected here. Is it not time 



46 



ALBUM VERSES 



To change their character, and consecrate 

These and our minds unto a nobler use, 

And for them both seek wisdom ? Mortal life 

Is so uncertain, and its transient scones 

Have such a solemn mingling, fitted so 

To teach frail mortals this is not their rest, 

Would I were always serious, Triflers here ! 

Ah, we are walking on the trembling verge 

Of an eternity of bliss or woe. 

And yet we trifle ! Earth's enchanting scenes 

Draw our minds downward, and we pass along 

Pleased with ourselves and them. True they are fair, 

But yet how fleeting ! Friendship's warmest glow 

Grows cold and dies ; loved homes are broken up, 

And those who sat in sweet communion there 

Are gone, perchance to other distant climes, 

Perchance to Heaven. 

To those realms of light 
May all our hopes and all our wishes tend, 
And our bereavements and our trials here, 
But fit us more for that enduring',bliss, 
Through grace bestowed on all that love the Lord. 



ALBUM VERSES. 47 



TO A. B. 

An Album is a garden — there 
Flourish flowers and fruitage fair. 
May the seeds of truth be planted, 
And a plenteous harvest granted. 

An Album is a basket — Flowers 
Gathered fresh in Friendship's bowers 
There are treasured— send it round, 
In rich gifts may it abound. 

An Album is a book — designed 
For a transcript of the mind. 
Unto every valued friend 
Here a welcome we extend. 

When its pages all are writ, 
Filled with wisdom and with wit. 
Let there be no friend forgot, 
Nor a line you'd wish to blot. 



48 ALBUMVERSES 



liNTKUDUCTORY LINES. 

must I first, fair Album, trace 
These sable lines upon thy face ? 
Almost I doubt if it be duty 
To mar thy yet unsullied beauty. 

Yet what would it avail to thee. 
That thou from mark or stain art free, 
Whate'er the pictures graven here, 
If nought of sentiment appear ? 

Like'' the nice foldings of the mind, 
These Album pages were designed 
To treasure wit and wisdom here, 
Choice sentiments and stanzas dear. 

Go then, bright basket, fortb and fiud 
Gems of the heart and of the mind. 
Go, like the bee in summer hours, 
And cull rich sweets from mental flowers. 

Then time, that lays the loftiest low, 
Shall in thy written pages show 
That Albums may instructive be, 
And not mere forms of vanity. 

So may the owner's life be found, 
In works of goodness to abound, 
And may it occupy her heart 
To gather good and good impart. 



\ 1 


1 A L B U 51 V E K S E S . 


49 


TO IS AB E L . 




" Will you write ?'' 




Yes, thauk you, Belle ; 




Be assured 'twill please me well : 




But though writing gives me pleasure, 




Still I some n)isgiviiigs share, 




For an Album's choicest treasure 




Is in words recorded there. 




'Tis a pleasant morn in May, 




"When the earth in vestments gay, 




Teaches with sublimest lesson, 




In each garden field and grove, 




(When she puts her summer dress on) 




Of our heavenly Father's love. 




Let this book a garden be. 




Where each blossom, plant and tree, 




By the hand of friendship planted, 




Shall adorn these Album leaves. 




And in harvest time be granted 




Wholesome fruit and golden sheaves. 




Life, too, is an Album, Belle, 




May you fill its pages well ; 




Every line be traced in beauty — 




Loveliness that shall endure. 




And each day be graced with duty — ■ 




Book and life serene and pure. 




^May 19, 1863. 





50 A L B U M V K R S E S . 



^^FRIENDSIIIP, TRUTH j^-LOYE. 

Let these pages, now so fair , 

Be preserved with choicest care ; 

Not a sentiment have place 

That would virtue''s self disgrace. 

Is a page to Friendship given, 

Precious boon derived from Heaven ; 

Pardon my ambitious aim, 

I would there inscribe my name. 

Truth be on each leaf displayed, 
(Heavenly nymph in light arrayed,) 

Over life's perplexing road 
She will lead the soul to God. 

Sacred be the page of Love, 
Gilded from theTouut above : 

Nought on earth that page should claim- 
Fill it with a Savior's name. ] 



A L B U M V E R S K S . 51 



PROGRESS. 

Were human hearts all sinless and unstained, 
As when celestial peace in Eden reigned, 
Then might these Album leaves, unsullied yet, 
Be of such purity an emblem meet. 

But sure'y it were not enough to be 
But negatively good — from error free. 
The mind, so pure, so fair, must be improved, 
The more progression, still the more beloved. 

This volume has a character to form : 

Virtue shall gild or vice its page deform. 

And though now stainless, save these words of mine, 

Friendship shall here record fnllmany a line. 

And each, like lines on life's brief pages traced, 
Shall fixed remain, by efforts uneffaced. 
Gruard then these pages let us ever find 
A transcript here of an unsullied mind. 



52 ALBUM VEKSKS 



LINES IN CLARISSA'S] ALBUM. 

Morn and the blushing rose 
Aro emblems always pleasing to the sense 
And now methiuks this album faintly shows 
The vernal morn of youth's sweet inuoceuce. 

For here no blots deface, 
Here mental fragrance crowns each written page; 
Yet flattery's blighting mildew may disgrace 
This youthful volume, ere it sink in age. 

Spring, 0, how quickly past 
Thy charms, thy melodies that soothe the soul; 
Youth has its joys, too fragrant far to last, 
And we of mortal life shall reach the goal. 

On times careering wing, 
Borne down along life's shadowy vale of tears, 
May every swiftly changing season bring 
New mental charms to crown Clarissa's yeara. 

And when death's shades descend, 
And life's tich Album all is written o'er, 
Drawn by his love, who is the sinner's friend, 
May your freed spirit rest on Canaan's shore. 

—1828. 



A L IJ U M V K K S E S . 53 



TO HARRIET. 

Seest thou the smiling spring, 
And how all nature puts her beauties on ? 

Mark, Harriet, for a few short days shall bring 
Autumnal frost?, .-aid all these flowers be gone ; 
Yet shall ripe fruits succeed this vci'nal bloom, 
More precious far midst storms and winter s gloom 

Thi's youth-like Album fair 
Will one day show the sombre marks of age — 

Forming a character 'twill always bear, 
Though flattery stain or wisdom crown each page. 
Wreathe it with garlands gathered by the wise, 
Imparting sweets when flowering nature dies. 

Thy spring-time, too, shall pass. 
And life's brown autumn shall succeed thy youth ; 

0, may thy soul be found enriched by grace, 
And decked with laurels of celestial truth 
Then mayst thou smile, e'en in thy life's decay, 
And live in youth when life has passed away. 
—May 14, 1832. 



54 A L B U M V K K S E S 



INTRODUCTORY. 

This fair book, my dear young friend, 
Yet unstained to me you send. 
Shall I mar a page so fair ? 
Shall I leave an imj^ress here ? 

Like your life may it remain, 
Free from error blot or stain ; 
Let not flattering words deface it. 
Nor false sentiments difsrrace it. 

Be this an emblem of yo\!r mind — 
Knowledge and virtue intertwined. 
Not the gilded page and cover 
Should the worth of each discover. 

Who can till this album's fiitc ? 
Who its future history state ? 
So in life's brief gilded book, 
Who may on the future look ? 

What though friendship warm the heart- 
'Twill not turn the fatal dart. 
Not an ear hly tie so tender 
But it may be rent assunder. 



A L B U M V E R S E S . 55 



Yet life's saddest woes may prove"! 
Tokens of a fatlu-r's love ; 
For, tliougb sorrows o'er us roll, 
Earth too much attracts the soul. 

Keep this truth*in mind, my friend, 
Whensoever your^'footsteps bend, 
Ilore a littlt- while we roam, 
But this world is not our home. 

On your life's unwritten page, 
Reaching down to Lood old age, 
Many lines of happiness 
May our Father's goodness trace. 

But though e'er so bright they be, 

Like the rainbow's brilliancy, 

Shadows with the light shall blend, 

And Death's cold hand shall write "The End." 



56 



ALBUM VKRSEtf 



TO EMILY. 

Once, Emily, your infant mind 
Was, like this book, unwritten. Friends 
Bestowed their care upon it, and the lines 
Of various kuowleege have been written there. 
And many a page is filled, whence you can draw 
Pleasure and profit. Every teacher's care 
Has stamped upon the Album of your mind 
Some fond memorial, and enriched its leaves 
With the bright gems of science. Fancy, too, 
Has added pictures, and the precious book 
Reads well, so far as written. 

0, let it be to wisdom consecrate : 
That at the very " Finis " of your life 
Nought shall appear that you might wish to blot. 
And so this Album — may its course be bright, 
May every written page increase its worth. 
And, as it goes among your friends, 0, charge 
The silent gatherer, like the bee, to come 
Laden with wholesome stores of mental kind 
From Friendship's blossoms gathered. Only good 
And only worthy an immortal mind 
Are views that tend to raise the grovelling thought 
To scenes where Friendship, Love and Peace abide. 



ALBUM VERSES 



57 



INTRODUCTORY LINES, 

I cTiGOse the yellow leaf. It well befits 
My moralizing pen. Surely 'twas well 
To place it here, at the first opening page 
Qf this fair volume, that the young light hearts 

That seek amusement here, may be instructed. 

Fair ones, this leaf's an emblem of decay ! 

Youth-like, all seems around it like the dawn 

Of life's gay morning, or the flowers of spring. 

Say, Catharine, hast thou marked the vernal grove, 

When all was bright and shining there ? the birds 

Raised their soft melody, and verdant leaves 

Waved in the gentle winds. But n®w how changed. 

Hushed is the music, and the yellow leaves 

Are fallen to the earth. So have I seen 

Youth, Lealth and beauty, sprightliness and mirth. 

Seeming almost immortal, nipped at once 

By death's cold frost and to the earth consigned. 

But here are brighter leaves — may tJiey be 

Your life's appropriate emblem. What impress 

Is made upon them, let it be of tmith 

And virtuous sentiment. No low thought 

Should be recorded there ; nor flattery's pen 

Stain the unsullied pages. Life, my friend, 

Is like an Album, lent us to be filled, 

And then returned to Him who gave it. Time, 

With all its pictured scenes and gilded leaves. 



58 A L B U M V E R S E S 



With us will soon bo ended. May the boon 
ComiuiLted to your care receive the seal) 
From Calvary's gracious fountain, wliich shall be 
The pledge of its acceptance and your bliss. 

November, 1833. 



INTRODUCTORY LINES in a Young Lady's Album 
Oh, is it not a pity^ thus to stain 
These lily pages? Every line I write 
Their beauty marS; and makes them more unlike 
The imagery of innocence and peace. 
Yet Ann, this Album, fair, unsullied, pure, 
If left unwritten, were a worthless thing, 
Fit only to be looked on. It were like 
Some foolish beauty, that should deck her face 
In smiles and dimples, while the uncultured mind 
Were left blank as an idiots ; or like 
The pretty infant, lovely now indeed,] 
But chiefly so from the bright cherished hopes 
Of mental loveliness that will adorn 
That infant mind when cultivated. So 
We view this volume, pretty in itself, 
But lovelier far in prospect ; for a soul 
Is given to it, and each friend that writes 



A L B U M V K K S E S . 59 



Does work for immortality. We trace 
Faint Unea on paper, and too oft suppose 
The deed of little moment. If our friend 
Found aught amusing in it, that aloue 
Repaid our toil, and that was all wo sought. 

But ah, how little do weak mortals know 

Tke influence thej exert. Light hearted ones. 

Ye who for mere amusement fill a page 

Wifchiu this social volume, be assured 

^'J'will meet you at the judgment. Some had read 

(Twill then be found, )and some impressions gained 

Tending to good or evil. You may dress 

These pages in alluring mental flowers, 

Yet breathing deadly odor. 

But forbear, 
And since each trace of pen or pencil here 
In friendship's sacred garland shall endure, 
O, let us twine a wroatk of fragrant flowers 
On Zion's mountain gathered. Sharon's rose 
Blooms there in frao-rance, and the healine: balm 
Which soothes earth's deepest sorrows there i." found, 
I ^poke of loveliness in prospect — charms 
Yet only budding. It shall pass around. 
And from your friends solicit gems of thought, 
And these shall be its language. May it be 
Unlike all other Albums I have seen, 
Free from soft flattering strains of sparkling eyes. 
And rosy cheeks, since beauty's fairest bloom 



CO ALBUM VERSES. 

la transient as the dew-drops of tho morn, 

But may it and its owner, every day 

Gain some new stores of wisdom and of worfeb 



TO MRS. K E. H; 

Look back, Eliza,^ through the years 
Lit up with smiles or dimmed with tears, 
When these unsullied leaves were new, 
And life's bright morning, beamed ou you. 
Who then could tell what friends would write 
Upon these pages fair and white j* 
Who then could know what lines of life, 
What psalms of love or words of strife,. 
Might gild or blot each written page. 
In life's fair book from youth to age ? 

Ye both have traveled on together, 
And you are written " Wife and Mother, ;" 
To both have numerous friends been kind, 
And impress left on book or mind. 
Both, too, are getting old and gray-— 
Passing, like those that wrote, away ; 
But though the book grow old and perish, 
May you a hope well founded cherish, 
Of brighter lines of life while here, 
And brighter still in the celestial sphere. 

1860 



NEW years' addresses. 61 



NEW YEARS' ADDRESSES 



[From a large number of these annual messages we select a few 
for this volume, aflFording some brief view of the " passing tidings 
of the times " in those years] 

FOB 1836. 
Kings may their mandates publish, and the learned 
Send yearly to the world their various works — 
Their Almanacs, their Souvenirs and Gems ; 
My humbler task, kind Patrons, is to give 
The News-boy's Annual Message. Custom's sway, 
More absolute than that of Russian Czar, 
Requires the Happy New Year^and the song. 

Mine is the sober muse. The solemn knell, 

That tolled the exit of the dying year 

Has hardly ceased — and that year was my friend. 

I hailed its rising with a song, and shared 

The blessings it afforded in its course. 

I love the memory of the year that's gone, j 

And will not trifle now upon its grave. 

The year in prospect, twelve short months ago. 
How soon its days are numbered ! We exchanged 



62 N K W Y K A 11 S ' A D D ri K S S E S . 

The season's greetings, and with feelings kind 
ExprG.-sod our mutuul wishes that its scenes 
Might all be bright and joyous. Weleomo wish, 
And willingly believed; for hope has power 
To turn the mind from dissapointments past. 
Directing it to future joys, all bright, 
And easy of attainment. Earthly good 
Displays its rainbow brightness to our view, 
Fair, fading and illusive. 

But how vain 
Are all our fond reliances on earth I 
Of those who hailed with us the opening year, 
How many sleep in death. Where all was bright 
Affliction's storms have gathered, and fond hearts 
Have felt the rending of the teuderest ties ! 
Ye who delight in mirth, and deem it fit 
To welcome in the New Year with a dance, 
Go to the crowded rooms and mark full well 
The fashionable group that gathers there. 
How changed since last year's revelry 1 0, say, 
Say if you can, when this year shall be past, 
Who of your number will remain on earth. 

We cannot read the future, let us then 
Review the past, and draw rich lessons thence — 
Teaching us wisdom. Thus each opening year 
Shall be a way mark in our onward path 
Whence we may note our progress, and recount 
The varied mercies of our passing lives. 



NEW YEARS ADDRESBEd 



63 



Much cause have we for thaukfilness. The year 
Crowned with the goodness of the Lord, has given 
Abundant harvest; eumnierce and the aits 
Have fl^urislied, health prevails around, 
And the bright radiance of the sun of peace 
Still cheers our land. 



Dark and portentous clouds 
Indeed have gathered in the sky, and sounds 
Presaging war, have fallen on the ear. 
As stubborn children (j^uarrel for their toys, 
And bring sad woes in figli ting fancied ones. 
So man strives with his brother ; madly bent 
To gain the trifle though he lose the crown. 
Those states which, tugging hard, had well nigh puUed 
The dark Maumee asunder, now are still, 
As the hushed child that cries himself to sleep. 
A war cloud hangs o'er Texas, and some drops 
Of that dread storm that steeps the earth in blood 
Have fallen there. But most of all we fear 
Contention with our friend.s across the sea, 
The News-boy is no coward — he would dare 
Nobly to yield a claim which France has owned. 
And shame her avarice with a generous gift. 
War is a murderous trade. When tempests rave, 
And lightnings scath, and hurricanes destroy, 
E'en when the pestilence walks o'er the earth 
In silent terror, changing life to death, 
We bow in solemn awe before His power, 
Who by the finger of his might doth show 



NEW years' addresses. 64 

Proud man's exceeding weakness. But the woes 

That follow in the train of wasting war, 

Fall like a death-blight on a moral world 

And make man the destroyer of his race. 

This truth the year has taught us : Let there be 

Excitement strong enough to sway the mind 

Beyond calm reason's guidance, and the ties 

That bind society together, break, 

And reckless force assumes the place of law. 

Cause have we too for thankfulness that Heaven 
Has dealt no sorer judgments on our land 
For national transgressions. In our pride 
How have we been unmindful of this truth — 

Those to whom God has given power ^ are made 

Accouniahh io Sim; and if the tvealc 

Are crushed beneath oppression''s iron hand, 

The loon so much abused May be ivithdrawn. 

On thy escutcheon is a stain of blood, 

Thou haughty queen of nations. Afric's sons 

Join their loud wailing with the Indians' cry 

Against my country. For the forest race 

Hope's last faint beam is waning. Those warm hearts 

That with a noble daring, stemmed the tide 

So wildly sweeping o'er them, now alas, 

Are cold in death. Ably did Evarts plead 

The Eed Man's rights. Wirt's highly gifted mind 

Went forth to aid them ; and upon the urn 

Of last year's honored ashes shall be graven — 

Marshall, the Indians' friend. Ah, where shall fall 

This Patriarch's mantle ? How each passing year 

Shows that the mightiest, wisest, best — must die. 



NEW years' addresses, 65 

But who shall break our sable brother's fetters ? Who 
Shall ope the prison house of captive Ham ? 
Full many friends he has — warm friends, 
And vaunting of their friendship. But, -alas, 
Contentious, they with one another war. 
And leave the slave in bondage. 

When shall rise 
That glorious day, by ancient seers foretold, 
And seen in Faith's prospective vision, when 
Oppression, strife and war shall have an end ? 
The sacred precepts of the Prince of Peace 
Known through all nations, and through all obeyed, 
Would lead to this. But first must christians learn 
To love each other, and to cease from strife. 
What 1 shall the man who walks by faith, who feela 
His high respons ibilities, whose heart 
Glows with the flame of gratitude and love — 
Shall he desire to call down fire from Heaven 
On such as follow not with him ? Shall names 
Of sect or party mar their harmony. 
Who kneel before ^-enfi Father ? 

May the year 
On which we now have entered be as famed 
For those celestial virtues which adorn 
And bless— Peace, Kindness, Love, — 
As was the last for discord. Ah, too rich 
Too priceless are these swiftly passing days 
To be in folly or contention lost ; 



66 NEW years' addresses. 

For all our hours have wings, and hasten up 
To b3ar the record of our deeds to Heaven. 

0, may the changes of the year that's gone 

Teach us to prize the new one. May our joys 
Lead us to thank the Giver, and our griefs 
Teach us true wisdom. Earth's felicities 
May fail us, but a Isnd of promise lies 
Beyond the dark and sickly realms of time, 

\A here Love, and Peace, and Joy forever reign. 



FOR 1842. 

A happy New Year, friends ! 

Your faithful News-boy wishes — 

Peace which the good attends, 

Health, cash and well filled dishes - 
And when the poor come round your gate, 
Hungry and cold they should not wait. 

The NewsBoy would not dun, 

Nor have it said he teazes ; 

Yet takes from every one 

A shilling — if he pleases. 
Through snow and sleet he brought the news, 
But once he asks — will you refuse ? 



NEW years' addresses. 67 

Uow transient is the year ! 
How soon its days are euded I 
A sigh, a smile, a tear, 
In its brief history blended. 
But, ah, what sights its records swell, 
An Angel's pen alon-o could tell. 



Friends, that when last we sung, 
Exchanged the cheerful greeting, 
By sad bereaveiuent stung, 
Have wept o'er hopes so fleeting. 
Parted till time his flight has sped, 
Till earth and sea give up their dead. 



A country's knell is rung, 

Death mocks at lordly station ; 
Her halls in gloom are hung. 
One sigh breathes through the nation. 
The highest place the world can give, 
Could not secure a day to live. 



Time honored chieftan, rest I 

With the cold earth around thee ; 

Yet on thy open breast ; 

Display the gems that crowned thee- 
An honest man, from youth to age, 
A Patriot, Warrior, State.«man, Sa; e. 



C8 NEW years' addresses. 



See death in fiercest forms, 
Man, busy, thoughtless, meeting, 
In ocean's roughest storms, 
Or in the red flames greeting. 
Where went that noble steamship ? where 
Fell the last sigh of their despair ? 



A throng the Eric pressed, 

And joyous thoughts came o er them, 

As they hastened to the west. 

To the visioned homes before them. 

Their homes, alas ! are in the wave ; 

The flames their shroud, the deep their grave. 



Parties may rave and fight, 
With pens and tongues abusive ; 
And each proclaim the right, 
With arguments conclusive ; 
Self is, alas, too oft their aim, 
To gain a fortune or a name. 



In the brief year that's gone, 
What thousands have been seeking. 
With cringing bow and fawn. 
For place, its profits eking. 
But, stung with dissapointment's darts. 
They now must heal their aching hearts. 



NEWYEARS' ADDRESSES. 69 



The dark career of crime, 
With all its woes attended, 
Has stained the roll of time. 
And its bright record blended 
With spots, for which a world will sigh, 
With deeds all written down on high. 

The slave still wears his chains, 

Freemen his groans unheeding ; 

The red man sighs in vain, 

His proud heart crushed and bleeding. 
Thou boasting land, so fair, so free, 
Two races leave their curse on thee. 

But is there nought to cheer, 
Nought on the darkness beaming ? 
Will not the rising year 
Take morning s radiant gleaming ? 
Yes. Time would fail me here to sing. 
The joys that in our pathway spring. 

The Temperance banner waves, 
With light and love imprinted ; 
From crime and woe it saves, 
With Heaven's own sunbeams tinted. 
It gives the aching bosom rest, 
And e'en the drunkard renders blest. 

Joy lights the weary eye 

Of her who worn and waking. 



70 NEW years'addrksses. 

Uopes for deliverance ni<^h, 
To heal the heart that's breaking. 
Henceforth her husband will be kind, 
For he the Temperance Pledge has signed. 

E'en in the elder world, 
Thc[spirit's woes aro healing : 
Sweden and Ireland have unfurled 
A flag, this truth revealing : 
Man, if he wills it, can control 
The fiercest passions of the soul. 

England, the sea girt isle, 

A spot upon the ocean, 

Has but to frown or smile, 

The world is in commotion. 
India before her sceptre kneels, 
Her tread of power e'en China feels. 

Yet right is not in power ; 

And they to whom 'tis given 

To triumph in their hour, 

May in their turn be driven, 
Tu lick the dust on which they trod — 
Examples of the wrath of God. 

But time shall bring release 
From strife and angry feeling ; 
War through the earth shall cease^ 
And love its light revealing 



NEW years' ADDRESSEa, 71 



Shall brighten fallen nature's face, 
And bless a renovated race. 



Patrons and friends, farewell ; 

The year is now before you ; 

Yet none of us can tell 

What joj's or woes hang o'er you. 
Live to be happy, friends, Oh, live, 
Blessings to gain and blessings give. 



For the WEST TROY ADVOCATE, 1846. 

Wake, sluQibering muse, thy tribute bring — 

A New Year's SoNa must News boys sing ; 

Custom demands it, and her sway 

Who dares to doubt or disobey ? 

For pence the News-boy writes and honor, 

Thanking, of course, each liberal donor. 



What scenes of joy, what saddening woes. 
Time's ample record doth disclose ! 
The swift-winged minutes onward gliding, 
Coming to each, but not abiding. 



NEW years' addresses. 64 

Receive an impress as they fly, 
And bear the living scroll on high. 
Of these wc sing not — Wasted hours 
The misimprovement of our powers, 
The wicked thought recorded there, 
The guile concealed "ueath promise fair, 
The hidden guilt, the motive vain, — 
These, Patrons, we shall meet again. 



But on the record of thcfyear, 

Time's deeds in lines of light appear. 

Hopes that were young a year ago, 

Like the sere leaf are leveled low. 

Friends, whom we then with greetings met 

Rest now in the dark grave, still wet 

With sweet affection's tears. Oh, how the tomb 

Hides wit, and worth, and beauty's bloom ! 

" A thousand_doors," the poet saith, 

*' Stand open in the way of death." 

But man, still seeking out inventions, 

Though acting with the best intentions. 

Has greatly multiplied the ways 

By which frail mortals end their days, 

A steamship on the ocean wave, 

Sends down its hundredsjto the grave. ^ 

More speed ! more speed ! the traveller cries, 

And on the fiery engine flies — 

Though the mad fury of the strife 

Is often paid with loss of life. 



NEW years' addresses, 73 

The liglitiiiog wing they'll next be trying, 
Or through the air in cars be flying ; 
But !et man do his best, he'll find 
Old Time will never lag behind. 
Yet since he bo by wholesale kills, 
By steam, tobacco, rum, and pills, 
Time, it maybe, will look about him, 
And seeing us mown down without him. 
Will lay his cumbrous scythe aside 
And jump into^the car and ride. 

We never lend.jthe' Advocate 

To angry, profitless debate : 

But take our calm and steady way, 

Midst Whig"__and Loco battle-fray. 

Yet iuiour country's woe or weal, 

A common interest we feel : 

And from our post of observation. 

Look on the movements of the nation. 

And anxious seek her good. We blame 

The narrow zeal that gives a name 

To party clans, because their creed 

Is not in every point agreed. 

Some favorite scheme enchains the mind. 

To every other object blindj: 

Some good becomes so magnified. 

It shuts out every good beside ; 

Thus our whole land is rent by schism — 

Good changed to ill by ultraism. 

We dread ambition's arm of pride. 



10 



74 NEW years' addresses 

Grasping but never satisfied — 
Trampling on every sacred right, 
With the high argument of might I 
Oh, will kind Heaven interpose 
To turn from us impending woes ? 
For God has said that be will bless 
The nation lovincr rio-hteousness, 
But will his threatened wrath fulfill, 
Gainst them who disregard his will. 



Still do the stains of Slavery rest 

Upon our nation's ample breast ! 

From his loved home the red man driven, 

Lifts an imploring eye to heaven, 

In cries, which though we heed them not, 

Are not in that high court forgot. 

A noble race, by lust of power. 

Crushed to the earth ! E'en at this hour 

They rest in their new homes to be 

Still driven onward to the sea. 

And Texas opes her wide domain, 

T' extend and strengthen slavery.'s chain ! 

Rapacio us lust in man we hate. 

And 'tis no better in a state. 

More than all foreign foes, we fear 

The dangers that are treasured here. 

Where shall we rest. Let us rejoice 

That the Pacific lifts her voice 

To say " no farther shalt thou come — 

My wave shall bound the Pilgrim's home.' 



NEW years' addresses. 75 

But, Patrons, we would not prolong, 
To tiresome length, our New Year's song. 
Time onward speeds with rapid flight, 
Successive scenes recede from sight, 
And soon like a brief winter day, 
Another year will pass away. 



Let us begin the year with good — 

See that the poor have fire and food, 

Oar children schools, and books, and teachers, 

And all our churches, faithful preachers ; 

Unslumbering guard fair freedom's cause, 

Select wise men to make our laws, 

And pay, as honest men, our dues, 

Whether for clothing, food, or news. 

So shall our days and duties blend. 

Till the brief year of life shall end. 



7o NEW years' addresses. 



FOR 1856. 

The Old Year, with its variel scenes, its pleasures and its woes, 
Has closed its record for the skies an<l sunk to long repose ; 
And from the ashes of the old, like Phoenix bird, to view, 
With joyous gifts and wishes laden, rises now the new. 

The News Boy's annual Message, custom calls on me to sing, 

And with a " Happy New Year," friends, that annual song I bring. 

How many hopes, with angel forms, in that brief year had birth; 

That blossom'd fair, but perished young, like other things of earth 

How many friendships, firm as cable one short jear ago, 

Are weakened by adversity, and are become as tow ! 

While in the world's parched wilderness, that we are traveling o"er, 

Well-springs of joy have bubbled up where all was dry before, 

So let us take the joys and ills together, as we must. 

Learning to prize the good we have, and for the rest to trust. 

The world is in commotion ; dost thou hear the battle peal ? 

And see those instruments of death, the bullet and the steel ? 

Crimea's soil is crimsoned with the life-blood of the slain ; 

The conquered and the conqueror together strew the plain. 

A year before Sebastopool in one united pull — 

The Sultan and Napoleon, with their old foe, John Bull, 

Where blood and treasure has been poured profusely and with power 

Has given them possession of the outworks and a tower. 

Nor has the Russian suffered less, nor can they either claim 

The triumph of a victory, or a conqueror's empty fame. 



NEW years' addresses. 77 

Destructive war, thy bloody laurels, ah, bow dearly won, 
And bow mucb easier settling strife befoi e it is begun. 
But let us bope the ray of light that streaks the eastern sky 
Is the bright harbinger of peace, whose rising sun is nigh. 
Happy for all the warring powers, if when the strife is o'er, 
They occupy as high position as they did before. 

Turn we our view to Africa or A?ia, where the light 

Of science and revealed truth in former days shone bright, 

And Oh, how dark the prospect now. how wido the moral waste, 

Where man, idolatrous nnd vile, by ignorance debased, 

Bows grovellitig beneath the yoke a conquering nation brings. 

Or bends in servile pliancy — the property of kings. 

One star on the Liberiau coa&t emits a feeble ray, 

Precursor, to a race enslaved, of a yet brighter day. 

Not always shall the land of Ham be crushed beneath the rod, 

For Ethiopia shall stretch her asking hands to God. 

In China, human butchery is practised as a trade, 

And civil war her fairest plains a field of blood has made. 

Terrific scourge ! the deadliest fangs in war's destructive jaws, 

Are sharpened in the vengeful strife of these unholy wars. 

When shall the " Day-spring from on high " rise on these realms of 

night. 
And righteousness and peace prevail — the fruit of gospel light ? 

But let us leave the ancient world, and turning to the new, 
Note some of those progressive scenes the year has brought to view. 
We will begin at home, for here the News-boy plays his part, 
And in life's varied drama he knows this scene by heart. 
Our town advances steadily in business and in wealth, 



78 N E W Y E A U S ' A D D :i H S S E S . 

And the old year that died last ni^ht has been a year of health. 

lie disappeared so suddenly that some imagine he 

Was shoved by Time, at midnight hour, into Eternity. 

Many have entered on the sea of matrimonial life, 

And some, it may be^ will encounter th" rough winds (if strife. 

The leap-year wo begin to-day will not be soon forgot, 

For as the ladies may advance to tie the bridal knot, 

It is presumed that marriages will very common be — 

But on such themes the News-boy speaks with all due modesty. 

Our moi chants and our artlzai;s are' ready to supply 

Goods of all textures, and all patterns made to plea^e the eye. 

Provisions, too, are quite abundant, various and nice. 

And none neod suflPer hunger, if they can but pay the price. 

But time would fail to mention all that in tlie mart?; uf trade, 

Or in the shops of Artizans have their improvement made. 

In the ' Becoedeii ' you will find wliat they have got to sell, 

And what they make in all the shops, and that they make it well. 

Oh art, how wondrous is thy work, what triumphs thou hast won ; 

And yc t much more thcu wilt achieve before thy work is done. 

Perchance the drudgery of toil thou wilt lift off from man, 

Leaving him little else to do but just look on and plan. 

Water and air thou dost control, and e'en the lightning's fire 

Is made to carry messages on the mysterious wire. 

Outrunning Father Timerhimself,^who, with his even pace. 

Still measures out the wasting years, regardless of the race, 

Nor is it likely he will lay his ponderous scythe aside, 

Or, wearied with his journeying, step in the^car and ride. 

Alas, we do not leave to him to fix our dying day, 

Such dread facilities we have to hurry us away. 

The poison bowl, the siuklng.ship, the^;flying,';crushiug car, 



N E M' Y E A It S ' A D D R K S S E ti . 79 



Aud all the murderous enginery of deadly wasting war : 

The golden calf that Aaron made, though ground to powder then, 

Is yet set up aud worshipped still in all the haunts of men. 

In every place of business where wealth may be increased, 

We hear the voice or see the footprints of the shining beast ; 

What swarms of men with principles and morals very loose, 

Haug round where power may give a place to pick the public goose. 

Go down to Albany today and moralize on faces. 

As those come off their feathered nests, and these sit in their places. 

Sam, vigDious and active, now receives the keys of trust, 

And this our New Year's wish — may he be honest, gcueruus, just. 

May temperance, learning, peace be cherished, and, as pledge of all, 

Let Freedom have a helping hand, when for our aid she call. 

Our ship of state a steamer is, and needs an engineer, 

Wise, honest, firm and skillful too, midst rocks and shoals to steer ; 

Alas, that men of sterling worth, the giants of our time, 

Should be neglected, while a brood of pigmies upward climb. 

But onward we are drifting, friends, and on the rising gale 

We hear the muttering thunder and the brooding tempest's wail, 

The bre ikers are before us, we can see their foam afar. 

But if we watch, they'll harmless be, as floating bubbles are. 

Let us maintain our rights, and then, with liberal hand and true, 

Give all the nations of the earth the deference that is due. 

If the poor exile seek a refuge in our happy land, 

Why should we not give him the welcome of a friendly hand ? 

Wide is the lap our mother earth has spread for his repose, 

And nourishment enough for all from her rich bosom flows. 

But never may those wild wood homes, now free in nature's right, 

0, never may they feel the curse of foul Oppression's blight. 



80 NEW years' addresses. 

But we must not our verse prolone;, though much remains unsung ; 
Forgive, and long our harp shall be upon the willows hung. 
Our kindest wishes with our song are cordially given, 
And may each New Year find us all more blest and nearer Heaven. 



FOR 1863. 

Q'ime'a annual circles, measured by the sun, 
Have rolled unceasing since the world begun ; 
And opening years,Sdown through successive ages, 
Have furnished joyous themes for bards and sagos. 
Changes, however, come with lapse of time. 
And custom now demands the News-boy's rhyme. 
Hail, then, kind patrons ! May the dawning year 
Find all enjoying health and bounteous cheer ; 
And may each generous]soul, who ihinkt he oughter, 
Just drop into the News-Boy's hand a quarter. 

The lines of Eighteen Hundred Sixty-one 

Are crimsoned o'er with deeds by traitors done. 

In Cabinet, in Senate, and in field, 

Were sown the dragon's teeth which armies yield. 

And hosts sprang up as with^wild frenzy driven, 

Intent to see our good old Union riven. 

Fitly rebellion doth the symbols take. 



NEW years' a d d r e ? s !■: s . 81 



Of the Palmetto and the Rattlesnake. 
Guileful and stealthily the serpent creep', 
While the furbeariug sword of justice sleeps, 
Secures the natiou's strongholds on the coast, 
And onward moves with the presumptuous boast, 
To drive the Yankees from the Capitol, 
And raise their banner in the Federal Hall. 

How much more noble, if each southern knio-ht. 
Whose mad ambition fired him for the fioht. 
Had built his greatness on a firmer basis. 
Than merely that of difference of races ; 
And sought a brighter glory for the_^State, 
In arts of peace that tend to elevate, 
Katbcr than seek in fratricidal strife, 
Tljeir own undoing and a nation's life. 
For the wild droams they yet so fondly cherish, 
Shall doubtless with the frenzied dreamers perish. 
The right shall triumph, and our eagle's wing 
Through the dark storm our galaxy shall bring, 
With stars and stripes unbroken and entire, 
Tried in the storm and purified by fire. 

But ah, in war's dark trail what woes await. 
What deeds of horror, death and deadly hate ! 
What homes made desolate, what waste of life. 
What nations ruined in the bloody strife ! 
At Sumter first the sound of war went forth, 
And as it pealed f.long the echoing North, 
The patriot fires were seen to burn as bright, 



11 



82 NEW years' addresses. 

As when at Lexington or Bunker's height, 
Our fathers rallied to the field of strife, 
Pledging for freedom, property and life. 

We know that sad reverses may befall, 
And scenes that will the stoutest hearts appal, 
Missouri's plains, Potomac's rolling flood, 
Are crimson with the martyr patriots blood. 
Already many a sister, mother, wife, 
Weeps for the loved one slain in battle strife ; 
And some who rode on honor's rising tide, 
Bravely and well shared in the fight, and died. 

Ellsworth, sa noble, generous and brave, 
Early treads glory's pathway to the grave. 
WiNTHROP, the ardent patriot, scholar, friend, 
And Greble, too, what tears of sadness blend 
With the fond memory of their gallant deeds. 
Nor friendship's tears alone ; the nation bleeds 
When her brave patriots fall. Baker, a host, 
" Grey Eagle " of the far Pacific coast, 
And Lyon, foremost in the unequal fight, 
Gave even life in battling for the right. 

But not alone in sanguinary strife 

Does Death obtain his victims. Human life 

Is held by frailest tenure ; clearest skies 

Send forth the shafts that break the tenderest ties. 

For the departed let us give a tear, — 



NEW years' addresses. 83 

To history we will give the'buried year. 

A bounteous Providence has given health 

Within our borders, and the hordes of wealth, 

Drawn out to strengthen war's defending hand, 

Have been diffused and scattered through the land. 

Giving to busy industry a spring, 

And causing many a heart with joy to sing. 

Our mother earth most bounteously has fed 

Her numerous children with her meat and bread ; 

Or if in foreign lands the hungry cry, 

Oar rich abuudais.ce gives them a supply. 

Now, on the threshold of another year, 

Let's look about and see how things appear. 

Rebellion still its hideous form displays, 

A mad ambition still its leaders sways. 

But a united people, in the might ' 

Of him whose favor rests upon the right, 

Will still defend their country in the field, 

Till those in arms for its destruction yield. 

A nation's iron arm we've thrown around them, 

In][ their own spacious cotton sacks we've wound them, 

And should they in rebellion long persist, 

Perchance the " contrabands " will learn to twist, 

Till powerless in the chosen coil they lie 

And Slavery itself shall droop and die. 

John Bull, 'tis true, who lives beyond the brine, 
Is blustering some, perhaps with the design, 



84 



NKW YEARS ADDRESSES. 



While we are settliug our domestic quarrel, 
To gather for his ancieut crowQ a laurel, 
By flaxing us for keeping back the cotton, 
And boarding British ships; has he forgotten 
Those troublous times, long past, when for the rigiit 
To seai'ch our ships, he met us in the fight ? 



But distant be the day when our relations 
Shall not be peaceful with all foreign nations- 
Happy the time when wai^ting war shall cease, 
And earth's great family shall dwell in peace ; 
When rival nations shall their conquest find 
In all the arts of peace that bless mankind. 
Conquests o'er ignorance, and vice, and crime, 
That shall enoble man, and make sublime 
Life's sacred mission. Why should we be slaves, 
When liberty is offered us, or knaves, 
AVhen to be honest is so much more wise, 
And gives, though rare the gem, a richer prize. 



'Tis, for ourselves or for our country, vain 

To hope prosperity and peace to gain, 

Unless we triumph over selfish lust, 

That sneers at him who dares not be unjust. 

For he who cheats his neighbor is no better 

Than he who binds his fellow with a fetter ; 

And when corruption seizes on the heart, 

The life and glory of a State depart. 

So may we live through life's brief changing years. 



NEW years' ADDRESSES. 85 

That in^its joys and sorrows, smiles and tears, 
"Whatever follies may disgrace oar neighbors, 
AVhatever lack of conipeusateJ labors, 
Whether the war-storm rages fierce and high, 
Or peace in radiant sunshine lights the sky — 
So may we live, that when our years shall fail, 
We still may triumph in death's gloomy vale. 



FOR 1863. 

Hours, days and months, in swift career, 
Have measured out anothcr^year ; 
And on the threshold^of the new, 
Patrons and friends, wcjturn to you ; 
And while, as customT,bids, we' sing 
Our New-Year'3[^Song, we gladly bring 
The News-boy's wish, that you may see, 
In Eighteen hundred sixty-three, 
In your own households'^ joy and peace. 
And through our blood-stained land, release 
From wasting war. O, may the cloud 
That wraps our nation like a shroud, 
Soon bear the rainbow's radiant form, 
And sunshine gild the passing storm. 



NEW YEARS' ADDRESSES 



The record of the buried year 
Is Wet with mauy a bitter tenr ; 
And many hearts, with anguish torn, 
In desolate bereavement mourn ; 
While the loud cannon, heard from far, 
Proclaims the wrathful storm of war. 
Even now the Rappahannock's flood 
Is red with fratricidal blood. 
At Antietam the graves are new, 
And Harpers Ferry brings to view 
Ten thousand brave men armed for fight, 
And ready to defend the right, 
By cowardly commanders sold, 
Prompted by treason's lure or gold. 

But time would fail us to rehearse 
The incidents of war in verse. 
HistVy shall bear the record down, 
Rich with the spoils of dead renown, 
And children in the schools be taught 
Of valiant deeds their fathers wrought. 
The News-boy has no wish to dwell on 
The faults or virtues of McClellan ; 
No wish to praise or to deride 
Stanton, or Halleck, or Burnside. 
He cares not what the party name 
Of him who gets the praise or blame ; 
His party, all good men and true, 
To such be honor as 'tis due. 
Of all the candidates for fame, 



NEW YEARS ADDRESSES 



In our past history, no name 

Has claims all will agree to own, 

But that of Washington, alone. 

Heaven grant us such another guide, 

Save us from vanity and pride, 

Subdue our enemies before us, 

And spread fair Freedom's banner o'er us. 

All honor to the noble brave. 

Gone forth our country's rights to save. 

Warmed with the patriotic fires 

Of revolutionary sires. 

They've met the foe on every field. 

Resolved to sooner die than yield. 

And many a blood-stained battle plain 

Tells of the valor of the slain. 

See Reno, Kearney, Mansfield fall, 

And Mitchell, noblest of them all. 

Whate'er reverses Ave have met, 

Our marshalled hosts in honor yet 

Sustain our flag. And while we bear 

Our burdens thus, we'll not despair, 

But onward move in martial might. 

Trusting that God will bless the right. 

Turn we from scenes of war and strife, 
To the sweet charities of life 
For e'en the sufferings of others. 
Lead us to feel that we are brothers ; 
And every woe we aid in healing. 



NEW YEARS' ADDRESSES. 



Warms our own hearts to generous feeling. 

Thus our kind Heavenly Father brings 

Good out of evil ; and the springs 

Of our best bles&ings often borrow 

A healthful power from beds of sorrow. 

How brief the years ! The Winter snows, 
In Spring-time blossomed in the rose ; 
The Summer sunshine and the rain 
Gave the green pastures and the grain ; 
And bounteous Autumn's golden treasures 
Filled to the brim our largest measures. 
And now the old year's work is ended, 
Its joys and sorrows all are blended. 
No hours misspent can we recall. 
No good we've done will fruitless fall ; 
And evil deeds, howe'er concealed, 
Will be in Heaven's own light revealed. 

And now kind friends accept our £ong, 
And we will not our strain prolong. 
Whatever note of time we takCj 
May we a due improvement make 
Of present moments. They alone 
Are all we truly call our own. 
Each day shall its own duties bring, 
Each day will on our pathway fling 
Temptation's snares and pleasure's lures. — 
Be ours the firmness that endures ; 
And whether battling in the field. 



NEW YEARS ADD K h; S S K S 



89 



Oar hands the warrior's weapon wield, 

Or whether warring iu the strife, 

Whose victory is a better life, 

May we victorious be, and find 

Pleasure with du*^y intertwined, 

And the New Year bring blessings, uioro 

Than any that have gone before. 

May we soon see the snaky crest 

Of the rebellion laid to rest, 

And all the schemes of mad ambition 

End iu their own deserved perdition. 

May law and order be resp-^ctcd, 

Atid all true Union mon protected. 

And every people, tribj aid race, 

In such condition fi.id a place, 

As for them shall be deemed the best 

]3y llim who cares for the oppressrd. 

And may our star-illumined flag, 

From every vale and mountain crag, 

Float o'er a land united, free — 

The cherished home of Liberty. 



12 



90 NEW years' addresses 



FOR 1866. 
Time, iu its steady, swift career,. 
Opens to view another year, 
Rich with the visions of the past. 
And bringing blessings from the last. 
The last, which gave the boon of peace, 
From blood and carnage brought release, 
Hushed demon war's t:rrific strife, 
And brought a nation back to life. 

May Eighteen Hundred Sixty-Five, 
Among remembered years survive, 
As one most honored and sublime 
Of years upon the scroll of time. 
History shall write in line» of light, 
A nation's struggle for the right ; 
And in her deathless annals trace 
The date of Freedom to a Race. 

Four years had crimsoned southern fields, 

Ere yet Rebellion, conquered, yields. 

Vain was the phantom which they sought — ■ 

We mourned their folly ]^while we fought ; 

God gave us victory at last, 

And the dark storm of war is past. 

We honor Grant's victorious arm. 



NEW years' addresses. 91 



Tiiat, coaquerin^, souglit to save from liarra ; 

With SiiEiniAX, Thomas, Siieiiidan, 

Moving in concert on a plan 

Wise and well executed. See 

The rebsl hosts, led on by Lee, 

Pent up, exhausted, forced to yield, 

And so the doom of treason sealed. 



Light breaks ! But hark ! terrific thunders roll 
Deep and appalling on the shuddering soul ! 
Tiincoln, a statesmen, honest, noble, true, 
Had led a trusting people almost through 
The fiery mazes of the civil strife, 
When madmen, to destroy a nation's life, 
Murdered the chief. But when the shock was o'er. 
The loyal heart was stronger than before. 
A deed so dark stirred up a kindlier glow— 
A common synipatl^y in friend and foe ; 
And when {he 2}eojple firm and loyal stand, 
A nation dies by no assassin's hand. 
They are the sovereigns, and whoe'er preside, 
If thei/ are faithful, law shall still abide. 
Johnson, who knows the people's wants and ways, 
Wears the dropped mantle with becoming grace ; 
Bends to his work with steady hand and true, 
And shows the wish to render all their due. 

We welcome the return of peace — 
May wasting war forever ceaso. 



92 NKW years' addresses. 

And yet, wi'h all its desolations, 

War al-o has it^ compensations. 

So wi:.h the evils it has brought, 

Let us receive the lessons taught : — 

What m-a^t bs borne, lot us endur >, 

And all that can be mended, care. 

Cities laid waste shall time restore, 

And commerce, better than before. 

Shall bless the South, while labor free 

Shall manifest its dignity, 

And o"er the sunny clime shall flow, 

(If they will only have it so,) 

More blessings for the head and heart, 

Than Slavery could e'er imjDart. 

While our Republic lives in story. 

This year's bright scroll hhall be her glory; 

Fntm lakes to gulf, from sea to sea, 

In wide expanse, United, Free. 



In lands beyond the briny ocean, 
There seems to be no great commotion — 
Save that the tribes by thousands come, 
In our wide wastes to find a home. 
And let them come, our vast domain, 
Rich with the grass and weaving grain, 
Invites them to our fertile soil. 
Our mines of gold and floods of oil. 
Here German, Saxon, Dane and Celt, 
Find clannish prejudices melt, 



N E \V Y K A K S ' A D D R E S S E S . 93 



And as Amcricr.Tis unite, 

In war or peurc to guard the ri<'ht. 

England anJ FraaC3 were quite t;io eager 
To aid the Soutii ; but nsissed a figure, 
In sending Mas to Mexico, or 
In fitting up die Shenandoah. 
]Jut let them be — as Andy says, 
If they will only mend their ways; 
But if they do not wis^h to fight, 
Their treatment must be just ani right ; 
For though we care not to go near them, 
They may be sure we do not fear them. 

Turn we from war, and crime, and strife, 
To milder scenes of social life. 
There waits for man a nobler mission, 
And more befitting his condition. 
For all our powers of heart and mind 
To make us happy were designed, 
And they who lose the oflFered prize, 
Are such as wisdom's ways despise. 
With treasures earth and sea abound, 
And labor everywhere is crowned 
With ample recompense. The mines 
Yield their rich treasures, and the soil 
Its corn and wine, while floods of oil 
Gush forth from earth's recesses. Still 
Sublimer duties to fulfill 
Is our high privilege. The soul 



94 newyears'addresses 



With all its powers, to our control 
Is given, and each deed of love 
Or hate is registered above. 

Now, as we enter on the new, 
May we keep steadily iu view 
Life's mission, its immo' tal claims, 
Its duties, objects, ends and aims. 
And since no hour can we recall. 
Wisely may we improve them all. 
And as we wish our friends to-day, 
A " Happy Nkw Year," s' all we say 
Words without meaning, and bestow 
No thought or work to make them so ? 
Not for ourselves alone we live — 
They who receive and they who give 
Enjoy the blessing. Friends, farewell ! 
What is before us none can tell. 
So may our days, as time rolls round, 
In works beneficent abound, 
That, spent in rational employment. 
Each hour may bring us true enjoyment, 
And every New- Years day before us 
Find richer blessings clustering o'er us. 



MISCELLANEOUS 95 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



SABBATH MORN. 

Hail to the Sabbath morn I 

Season divinely blest ; 
Emblem to those that mourn, 

Of a more glorious rest, 
Where ransomed souls from sin are free, 
And happy through Eternity. 

Grateful relief from care, 

That sacred morn affords ; 
O, let the ardent prayer 

Express itself in words. 
Communion sweet with Grod on high, 
Who hears the contrite sinner's cry. 

The star of Hope divine, 

Beams from the realms above, 

Where saints in glory shine. 
Robed in a Savior's love. 

0, blessed hjpe ! this gloomy vale, 

It cheers when other comforts fail. 



96 N K W Y K A R S ' A D D II E S S E S 

This da J tl e Savior rose 
Victorious from the grave, 

Triumphant o'er his foes, 
Omiiipot ul to save. 

Jesus, our vows to thee we'll pny, 

Oh, meet us in thy courts today. 



DASH THE CUP AWAY, 

Stay yoar band, niy brother, stay, 
Dash the maddening cup a;vay ! 
'Tis consuming fire you drink — 
Stop, Oh, drunkard, stop and think. 



Will you to the revel go ? 
Ah, that house is full of wOe ! 
Friends that love you weep and pray 
Dash the drunkard's cup away. 



By each bitter pang that rends 
Aching hearts of tender friends ; 
By the horrors that you know, 
When you ^\ake to all your woe. 



M I S C K L I, A N E O U S 



By the charities of life, 
Brother, parent, children, wife, — 
O resolve at oner, and say, 
' I will dash the cup away." 

What tho' vain companions sneer — 
Is this smile to you so dear 
As affection's purest glow 
Which instead you yet may know ? 

"Tis a Clip of liquid fire, 
Kindling every wild des-ire ; — 
Look around you once again 
See the victims it has slain ! 

From their cold bed in the street — 
From the mad-man's last retreat — 
From the murderer's cell of wo, 
To the judgment seat they go, 

Stay then, stay ! you yet may live, 
Friends will you a welcome give ; 
Joy shall gild the happy day. 
When you dash the cup away. 



13 



98 MISCELLANEOUS. 



RETROSPECTION. 

What is our life ? TheTPilgrim's way 
Gomes up in retrospective view, 

And by its lengthening sunset ray, 

Looks backward all the journey through ; 

And memory in the distance traces 

Our early friends', familiar faces. 

The hills that broke the wintry gale, 

Ascatney with majestic brow, 
The river winding down the vale, 

All these remain unchanging now ; 
And shall remain till rocks and mountains 
Consume away in liquid fountains* 

But where are now those youthful forms — 
The homes of simple hearts and true, 

Our light and joy amidst the storms 
That even sportive childhood knew ? 

They are grown old, and of the number. 

How many in the grave-yard slumber ! 

Well, let them slumber. If the race 
Of mortal life was wisely run, 

Though few or many were their days, 
Their work was well and truly done. 

But if to vice a hopeless debtor — 

The sooner the discharge, the better. 



ISCELLANEOUS. 99 



Like ocean waves, the race of maa 
Successive moves and disappears ; 

And none but power creative can 
Prolong the term of mortal years ; 

And all who live, and tribes and nations, 

Rest wth tke buried generations. 

But to our faith and hope is given, 
When Time and Death itself shall die, 

A brighter world, a purer heaven — 
Not yet revealed to mortal eye. 

Thither with all our hopes ascending. 

May every thought and act be tending. 



THANKSGIVING HYMN. 

Father, we bless thy name, 

Whose wondrous works proclaim 
Thy power, thy goodness, and thy grace. 

Before thy throne we bend, 

To thee our thanks ascend, 
A Nation's voice shall render praise. 



100 MISCELLANEOUS, 



Our fields have yielded bread, 
And, by thy bounty fed, 
Strength, vigor, health to thee we owe ; 
In all the work^of life, 
Even in war's awful strife, 
From t'.ee our numerous mercies flow. 

Weak and unworthy, we 

Must find our hclpjin thee ; 
Life, Freedom, Peace, thy grace imparts, 

And though we are but dust, 

Help vsjin thee to trust, 
And with thy love, warm our hearts. 

Nations,' in every land, 

In thy o'erniling band 
Shall fade or flourish at thy word. 

Lord, hear our people's prayer, 

Oh, make our cause|thy care, 
Thy saving help to us afford ! 
November 23, 1864. 



M 1 S-CEL L A N E OU S . 101 



THE CHOICE. 

*Tis not to mortals g ven, 
While passing thro' the thorny way of life, 

To be exempt from ills. Only in Heaven 
Is perfect pleasure, unalloyed with strife. 

And had we power to choose 
Our portion while sojourning here below, 

No doubt the good we often should refuse, 
And load our aching hearts with double wo. 

This, then, is wisdom's part, — 
To bear with patience woes we can not shun., 
Receive its blessings with a grateful heart, 
And daily learn to say " Thy will be done." 

Yet, since you ask, my friend, 
My views of life, and where we most may find 

Of happiness below, I freely send 
This rough-wrought transcript of a rural mind. 

It matters less the place 
Where life's bright visionary days are spent, 
For who the way has ever learned to trace 
That bliss, the fugitive, her footsteps bent? 

Still would I wish a home — 
For rich the joys that cluster round the spot. 

Let others through the world's wide desert roam- 
Be home's calm pleasures my more tranquil lot. 



102 MISCKLLANEOUS. 

For there are friends most true, 
Hearts bound by tender and endearing ties; 

Yet should the friends of home, tho' dear, be few, 
And those selected from the good alid wise. 

The vain, licentious throng, 
Who love the revels of unballowed mirth, 
Or idly drag life's tiresome load along, 
Or raise no thought above the sordid earth, 

These my retreat would shun 
For more congenial haunts. Yet when the care 

Of busy day is past — its duties done, 
I'd joy to see some friendly neighbors there — 

In converse sweet to spend 
The social evening hour : with vocal chime 
Enliven the dull heart, or, reading, blend 
Instruction, gleaned from every age and clime. 

The gifted sons of song — 
Montgomery, Milton, Cooper, Campbell, Gray — 

These, and like gifted spirits should prolong 
Our social feast and speed the hour away. 

Above all books, be mine 
The volume of that law from Sinai given — 

The prophet's vision, and the songs divine, 
The chart of the blest way that leads to heaven. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 103 



Thro' life's short shadowy way, 
Thus would I live to bless and to be blest ; 

Ready at last the summons to obey, 
That calls the faithful to the realms of rest. 



THE COURT OF DEATH. 



KEFLECTIONS SUGGESTED BY A VISIT TO PEALe's PAINTUG. 



They are all there ! — Those ministers of death 
Are prompt to do their work ! First in the train 
The warrior stands. He the foul work began. — 
Cain, when in violence he raised his hand 
Against his brother, brought upto thy throne, 
death, the primal victim. From that hour, 
Unholy war has drenched the earth with blood ! 
The incendiary's torch, the Pestilence 
And ghastly Famine make the fitting train 
Of one who tramples femab innocence 
And infancy unheeded in the dust ! 



104 MISCELLANEOUS. 

Pleasure, the Siren, too, holds out the cup 

That leads to ruin. Tliougii all liie siic i^eeins, — 

.\s if immortal iu her vviiuttniuess, — 

\ot"'ahe is"iiear to death ! — Her steps take hold on hell. 

How isrge a share of all the ills of life 
Are self imposed Intemperance and War 
Are rivals in the slaughter of our race ; 
And both are man's devices. 

Might the reign 
Of virtue, Temperance, and Peace prevail 
O'er all the earth, then should its multitudes 
Come, like the good old man, to welcome Death, 
And lay them swcet'y in their last repose. 
Thrice happy man ! Steadfast in Wisdom's ways. 
His hoary head becomes a^crown of glory; 
Through the dark cloud his eye of faith reveals 
The Day-spring from on high. This dark abode 
Itsjlf shall conquered be,^and over all 
Shall Christ, the Conqueror, forever reign. 



M T P C K L T, A M E O U S . 



10.1 



TO THE ICE IN THE HUDSON. 

llun cold sleeper, wake and ran ; — 
Waifest. tliou the geniSii si»ii, 
To unlock the frosty chain 
Ei-e thi.u movest to the main ? 

Over southern regions yet, 
Where the toil-worn ncgiojs sweat, 
Sol <ioth linger, — wilt thou wait ? 
Ah tliy torpor seals thy fate. 

Didst thou think the sun so mild. 
As he looked (m thee and smiled, 
Was thy friend ? Didst thou believe 
Thou sbouldst in his favor live? 



So alas the red-man thought 
So he dear espeiience bought ! 
Soon thy power like his shall be 
Whelmed in a wiJe rolling sea! 

Stretched like thee from shore to shore 
When the white man's barque came o'er. 
Powerful Indian nations lay — 
Melted now like ice away ! 

Thine is now the sole domain 
Of the Hudson's glassy plain ; 
And the finny nations there, 
Rest secure beneath thy care. 



14 



106 MISCELLANEOUS. 



But tliy doom is drawing nigh, 
TLougli thou build thy bulwarks high ; 
All thy foes are leagued together — 
Southern gales and sunny weather. 

E'en the genial rain — thy mother, 
And the mist — thy weeping brother : 
These thy ruin seem to plan 
As man destroys his fellow-man ! 

What thy future fate will be 
In the river or the sea — 
Foaming round the sporting whale — 
Mingled in the sparkling ale — 

Boiled in steamboats — who can tell ? 
But, cold sleeper,^fare thee well. 
Thou hast furnished me a theme — 
Melt now in the rentle stream. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 107 



CEMETERY MUSINGS. 

Sept. -ist, 1858. 



On this Green Hill we come to-daj, to build 
A City for the dead. These evergreens, 
That circle it around, shall jbe its walls, 
And this green sod its pavement. Every year 
Shall bring tlie trophies of all conquering Death, 
To people this enclosure. We that build, 
And, in our minds, approve the pious deed 
We do for others, as wc thus provide 
A place of sepulture, not for ourselves, 
But for our friends that die, may be the first 
Among the dwellers here. Aged__and young. 
They who life's weary way have traveled long. 
And they who, young and ardent, climb the steep 
To honor, wealth, or science, will ere long, 
Be gather ;d here to rest. 

This living throng, 
Now lifting up the voice in song, and now 
Attentive to the eloquent address. 
Shall, one by one lie down in death's long sleep. 
Then in successive ranks, as years roll on. 
Those that live after us will liither come, 
And read upon the marble columns here. 
Memorials of the dust that sleeps beneath. 



lOH M I S C K L li A N E U S . 

Not many generations will have passed, 
Before the dwellers "neath t!iesj gras'^y mounds 
Wi't far outnumber those that dwell in tonts, 
III yonder valley These same aged pines 
Shall breathe their solemn lequieni o'er the graves 
Of buried thousands. 



City of the Dead ! 
What though thy streets are still unpeopled ? Time, 
That sometimes levels eities in the dust, 
Shall make thee populous. Nor is there need 
Of war or violence, as when on Tiber's banks, 
They b; ought the Sabines in to people Rome. 
From ehildhoo I's cradle, from the flowery paths 
Of sprightly youth, from busy scenes 
Of manhood's active life, enough shall come 
To people thee. Howe'cr they may have been 
At strife, and hating one anotli' r, here 
Shall all be peace. No cruel slauderer'is. tongue 
Shall wound its victim here. Confiding love, 
Bctray'd, alas, while trusting, feels not here 
The crushing weight of sorrow. Nor shall come 
From these abodes, one whisper'd word to tell 
The deep veiled mysteries of the realms beyond. 

Come yj up hither then, from all the walks 

Of busy life. Contemplate here the end 

Of all its vexing cares. And, though the grave 

Be silent on the souFs unending state, 

Learn from the written word, that though we die. 



Mlt^CELLANEOUS. 109 

Yet shall we live again. The tomb itself 

Ts mortal awl must render up its trust. 

Our life, and all the powers that God has given, 

Are not bestowed for au unending sleep, 

]5ut for a conscious Immortality. 

So may we live, with Heaven's own love inspir'd 

That every Jay, :is its recorded acts 

Are mark'd on high, may the bright impress bear. 

Of good accomplished in the toil of life. 

So labor, that some pilgrim, frail and sad, 

As liie's severer burdens press him down, 

INI ay by our kindness be refreshed ; and thus 

The blessings we impart to others, come 

In blesi^ings back. So shall the world become 

More like the Paradise tD which we look, 

As its least woes are lightened. 

And at last, 
Whether in life's fair morning, or at noon, 
Or when night-shadows gather round the path 
Ot frail decrepitude, the summons come, 
May wc be ready ; and affection's hand 
Lay the deserted body here to rest, 
Upon the bosom of our mother Earth, 



1 1<> M f S K r. I. A N K U P . 



TRIBUTART LINES. 

TJ TIH': MKMORV OF MI!S miI,I)AU HAYWOOD, WHO DIKD FEU. IST, 1834. 

Oil if on earth tlieie were a tie, 
Might keep us from our home on high, 
'Twere surely that which twines around 
The hearts by sacrjd friendship bound 

Yet tlatshouldjuot'retard our pace, 
Eut urge us onward in the race ; 
For Christian friends to us are given, 
To help us in the way to heaven. 

C:in the frail, fading toys of earth, 
Attract the soul of heavenly birth ? 
Bather shall its aspirings rise, 
To joys that live when nature dies. 

And happier they, whose workwell done — 
Their trials o'er — the victory won, 
Arc earliest cdled to realms of rest, 
To dwell with'Cbrist — forever blest. 

The ways tf God are right and just, 
Whether we live or turn to dust, 
Nor should one murmuring' thought arise, 
Tho' rent the strongest, dearest ties. 



MISCELLANKOUS. Ill 



Yot (here was one — that now is not. 
I'artcJ from view — but not forgot 
Whose meekness and rcnie;ubered worth 
Sha'l sometimes raise the mhid from earth, 

And fix it on tho.^e reahns of bliss, 
Where she with her Hedeenier is ; 
Thus shoukl each esrtijly tie that's riven 
Bind our affjctions njore on heaven. 

In sorrow's most distressful hour 
f^he felt of grace the soothing power ; — 
In every grief or vexing care 
She realized th3 worth of prayer. 

Fondly we hoped through future years 
To share life's sunshine and its tears ; 
But should I sigh that she is blest ? 
Her weary frame had need of rest. 

And though that frame in dust is laid, 
(.'old earth the pillow for her head : 
Yet 'tis but clay to clay consigned — 
The grave holds not th' immortal mind. 

And e'en that dust shall live again, 
Free from pollution — sin — and pain ; 
This truth in God's blest word we see — 
The grave shall also conquered be. 



112 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



Soon he who moiuiiK.- oj" tlnve iicii U 
With one der.:-, Irnil m.-iiHci.-il left - 
Will pass away,''' Oh God of luvo 
Receive us into bliss above. 



UNDYING LOVE. 

Pilgrim in this vale of sorrow, 
With the cares of life oppressed, 

Labor hopefully ; to-morrow 
Thou shalt enter into rest. 

In a Savior's love confiding, 
He shall from all ill defend ; 

In His grace and truth abiding, 
He shall guide thee to the end. 

Trials all the way surrounding. 
Shall but purify thee more ; 

And His grace the more abounding, 
Shall the light of peace restore. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 113 



Friends may fail, and wealth may perish, 
And thy brightest hopes may fade ; 

Yet mayst thou unfaltering cherish 
Hope of His protecting aid. 

Midst the scenes ot secret anguish, 
When the heart is nigh to break, 

Still let not thy graces languish, 
And he will not thee forsake. 

And when all thy powers are failing — 

In the last dim dying strife, 
His free grace o'er death prevailing, 

Crowneth with Immortal Life. 



Oct. 18th. 



LINES TO SOME BLUE-BIRDS 

Welcome blue-birds once again, 
Let us hear your sweetest straio 
'Midst these vernal blossoms sing — 
Sing the blest return of spring. 



15 



114 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



Yours are social joys— together 
Raise your notes and help eacli other 
If I were a blue-bird too 
I would sing as well as you. 

Did you sing when far away 
On the tender orange spray ? 
Welcome to my orange tree 
When you choose to sing with me. 

Friendship now may be your them& 
Since ye here so friendly seem. 
Sing my pretty birds so blue 
And 111 sing some more for you. 



ATTRACTIONS, 

Life's flowery vale extends along 
The dark cold stream of death, 

Where mortals pass — a thoughtless throng, 
Exposed at eyery breath 

To sink from sight beneath the wave 

And be forgotten in the grave. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 115 

Faith points to lands of living light, 

Beyond the gloomy flood, 
But we ai'G prone to walk by sight, 

Eager for present good, — 
Too apt the thought of death to shun, 
And after earthly pleasures rnn. 



A thousand fascinating charms 
x\llure the yielding heart. — 

The child, clasped in maternal arms, 
Which foes would rend apart, 

Clings not more closely to her breast, 

TBm-u Mortals to Earth's troubled rest. 



God would subdue our hearts by love, 
And sheds his blessings down ; 

But we, alas, ungrateful prove 
And thus provoke his frown. 

He chastens, but in pity still, 

Gives blessings with the needful ill. 



As on the harshest thorns, the rose 
In beauteous fragrance blooms, — 

As the bright rain bow gilds the close 
Of wildest tempest glooms — 

So woes are gemmed with mercy's flowers. 

So grace gilds sorrow's darkest hours. 



116 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



Proud man, sin not against the light 
By God's free bounty given ; 

Nor,J^thankkss, all his goodness slight, 
And|lose the bliss of heaven. 

INIake not his bounties, given so free, 

■The objects of idolatry. 



Know thou these joys shall quickly fade- 

The richest and the best ; 
And death's dark wave alone is made 

Oar passage into rest. 
Shall baubles bind the spirit down, 
Or shall it seek a heavenly crown ? 



Child of affliction is thy faith 

In the Redeemer strong ? 
He shall sustain the soul in death, 

And thou shalt join the song ; 
"Worthy art thou, Oh Lamb of God, 
Who hast redeemed us by thy blood." 



Mourner, of some dear friend bereft, 

Oh would thy wish recall 
Thy friend to the cold world she left ? — 

Wish not the spirit's thrall. — 
All the attractiveness of love 
Should draw us to that home above. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 117 



THE PIG-EONS AND THE MEN 

How oft the battles of the brave, 
Of tyrants conquering to enslave, 
When conquered freedom finds a grave, 

Have furnished themes 
For poets, watching on the waves 

Of fancy's dreams. 

These other bards may sing — but I 
Will touch no strains of minstrelsy 
For those who fight and fighting die, 

Or fight and live. 
To pigeons, trembling as they fly, 

My verse I give. 



Oh cruel sportsmen ! sad the deed, 
Whether from sport or pressing need, 
That causes a poor bird to bleed. 

And gasp and die ! 
Ah, does not pity bid you read 

His tearful eye ? 



118 MISCELLANEOUS. 

Perhaps tbc little trembler's fate, 
Has plunged in woe b'.s mourning mate, 
Oucc happy in the married state, 

\ oung, gay, and fair, — 
Now left to loneliuesSj^and hate, 

And sad despair. 



In social flocks I've seen them move, 
And, perching in some shady grove, 
(The fabled residence of love,) 

Light down to rest ; 
While all their fond endearments prove 

How much they're blest. 



But happiness, alas, is brief, 
Succeeded oft by bitter grief: 
The huntsman, lurking like a thief, 

Approaches nigh — 
No friend is there to give relief, 

The bird must die ! " 



Yet, Pigeons, know you have a friend, 
Who grieves for your untimely end, 
And gladly would assistance lend, 

To aid your flight ; 
Now ray advice with this I send, — 

Keep out of sight. 



MiaCEIiLANKOUS. 119 



TROJAN SCENERY. 

At the gray hour of morn alone I atood, 

Oa Ida's summit. Fruits and fragrant flowers, 

Showed nature in her beautiful attire, — 

O eriooking as in scorn the works of art. 

Oh nature, ever charming ! In the wild 

Where tuneful birds their joyous notes prolong, — • 

In the deep silence of the lonely vale, 

And in the cultivated fields, I loveHhee still, 

And in thy calm retreat would end my days. 



But not attractive nature's charms alone 
Engage my mind. Here Industry and Art 
Display their wondrous trophies to my view, 
And show how knowledge adds to human power. 
Here once the redman stood. And as he looked 
Upon the hills with towering forests crowned, 
Heard the loud music of the waterfalls, and saw 
The mighty river coursing through the vale. 
He gazed and wondered ! Yet his untaught soul 
Dreamed not how for the benefit of man 
Might these might be made to minister. 



120 MISCELLANEOUS 



A race 
On whom the light of scloucu shauj, usurped 
The red man's fair domain, and oh, how changed 
The scenes now rising on th' admiring view. 
Art has not conquered nature, but combined 
The benefits of both. — Has taught the cataract 
To spring the shuttle and to turn the wheel, 
And, yielding all her might to man's control, 
To do the work of Thousands. Man has made 
The hissing steam to do his bidding Caged 
In ponderous iron, it propels the boat 
Or moves the car with the wild tempest's speed ! 
E'en now that floating palace moves along 
Oer the deep waters with a giant's power, 
And yet so gently that a child might guide. 
Up yonder hill ascends the lengthened train 
Where man, on business or on pleasure bent 
Reposing on his velvet couch, flies on 
Swift as the wind I From mill and workshop rise 
The smoky volumes, as in various ways 
The power of steam is made to minister 
To man's convenience. 

When will science cease 
To work her wonders ! Can that glittering wire 
That stretches through the valley, say, proud man, 
Can that be brought into thy service too ? 
Surpassing wonder ! 'tis the chain that binds 
The lightning's wing ! and gives her flash a tongue 
To speed his messages across the world. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 121 



Troy, thou art one. In name imd interest one. 

What though a river separates ? From Ida's height 

Thou seeni'st united, and thou s'.ia't ba one. 

Commerce extends her arteries througli thy heurt, 

And ihe warm currt nt freely circulates — 

Those richly freighted boats that pass along 

The broad canal, are Clinton's gift. To him 

Were given the mind to plan and strength to persevere 

How art improves on nature ! Hudson's wave 

Was DO less ample when the light canoe 

Alone disturbed its waters. Fulton gave 

The steamboat to mankind, and while it rollp, 

The Hudson shall pay tribute to its fame. 

Where Poettenkill so wildly dashes down, j 

Wasting its waters in the deep ravine, 

Art cuts a channel through the solid rock 

And builds the looms and weaves the fabrics fine. 

Thus gathered wealth flows throug'i a thousai.d rills 

To chc^r and recompense industrious toil. 

So through long ages ran the grand Cohoes 

Wasting their might upon the rocks below, 

Till enterprise and art combined to turn 

These rolling waters to the use of man. 

But why attempt in verse these busy scenes ? 
Ida is not Parnassus, and the Nine 
Lend no inspiring aid. Yet would I own, 
While praising thus fair nature's works and arts, 
A higher Power than nature. In His works 
I read his goodness that arrays the fielda 



__-_ 



16 



122 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



In verdant beauty, and bestows on man 
The power to labor, and the skill to plan. 
Man is His nobler work. And all the power* 
Of his immortal mind are talents lent, 
That he may be a blessing and be blest. 



Fair valley of the Hudson ! I must leave 
These pleasing contemplations and return 
To mingle in thy busy scenes again* 
Yet might I choose a cottage where to dwell, 
Above the world yet in it, where the sounda 
Of noisy folly might not pain my ear — 
Here would I rest. But 'tis not given to mam 
To rest this side the grave. So may I live ;' 
Daily receiving and imparting good 
That when my mortal powers shall faint and faily 
I ma,y, tbroi;^h grace, in that bright city dwell. 
Where blooms the tree of everlastmg. life. 
Troy, Aug. 30,1846. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 123 



BENARES, 

"Where Ganges rolls its sacred wave along> 
In Pagan temples sw ells the voice of song. 
What thousands here with idol rites comply, 
What thousands throng to worship and to die, 

O, city of tbe learned ! can a grave 
Within thy borders, or thy sacred wave, 
Secure the bliss of Heaven ? Alas, in rain 
Their life of torture, and their death of pain ! 

God dwelleth not in temples made with hands, 
Whether in heathen or in christian lands ; 
He gives, thro' faith, the blessings of His grace, 
And makes the humble heart his dwelling place. 

On thee, famed City ! wealth may millions pour, 
And thy dark sons their idol gods adore. 
Without the light the sacred Scriptures shed. 
Still thou art but a city of the dead. 



124 M I SC E I, I. A N EO U P. 



MORNING HYMN. 

Assist me now, God of giace, 
Kising from sleep, to muse tliy praise, 
1 laid me down in peace anJ slept — 
I waked, for Israel's Watchman kept. 



From da'-kness thou hast brought the day, 
drive the shades of sin away ; 
And graciously thy spirit give, 
That I this day to thee may live. 



Jesus, my Savior ! from the grave, 
Thou didst arise, in might to save ; 
O may I on thy grace rely, 
To guide my footsteps till I die. 



Then from the sleep of death new born, 
I'll rise to hail the unchanging morn ; 
Nor more grow weary or undress, 
Clad in a Savior's righteousness. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 125 



TROY ORPHAN ASYLUM. 

A laother hushed her child to sleep, 
Then turn'd herself away to weep. 
"Child thou art left alone " she saii 
Thy father slumbers with the dead. 

She knelt to pray — a voice she heard 
It sounded from God's holy word. — 
" Leave unto me the fatherless, 
And trust in God whose care will bless." 

But soon that mother, called away 
Rested in her cold bed of clay ; 
And left me at a tender age, 
To all the wants of orphanage. 

But there's a use in human wo, 

Elsi3 how could love's warm blessings flow ; 

Or how could charity be tried 

Were there no wants to be supplied ? 

Though orphans, we are not forsaken ; 
Care for us, orphans, God has taken ; — 
Has rais'd up friends to guide our way, 
And for those friends will orphans pray. 



1 26 M I S C K L L A N E U S . 



THE HERMIT. 

Where snow-clad mountains rear their summits high 
And the young river dashes madly by 
A hermit lived — gray was his head with 3'ears, 
And dry the fountain of griefs balmy tears. 
Wild was the flace, the forest leaves his bod 
And the rough rock a shelter for his head. 
Long had he lived in this rude cave alone 
Tlie man forgotten— his retreat unknown. 

Yet was he not unhappy, for his life 

Was tranquil, free and unperplexed with strife. 

He converse held with nature — not a sound 

Echoed along the forest but he found 

In it a voice of comfort : — for the mind 

"Was never formed for solitude : 'twill find 

Companionship with trees if left alone ; 

And joy to hear the night wind's hollow moan. 

On many a tree was carved poetic strains, 

He wrote and sighed his young love o'er again. 

Near his retreat one fine autumnal day 
Romantic Albert strayed. Hard was the way 





JiraCELLANKOUS. 


127 




And he was faint and woarj. Oa the ground 






His head hi rested — when he heard a sound 






Floating in harmony upon the air : — 






He looked and saw our aged hermit there. 


1 
1 




lie looked and listemd— plaintive numbers flow, 






Mourntul they seem, the melody of wuc. 






On Albert's ear the sound di^til■ctty fell 


i 




As thus the hermit did his sorrow tell : — 






" The memory loves to dwell 






On scenes of otlier yeara ; 






When the hearts saddest swell 






Was soothed by pity's tears, 






When hopes unblighted clieered the heart 






Unpierced by sorrow's pointed dart. 






Each want wa-( then supplied 






By tende;- friendship's care : 






And if perchance I grieved, 






I looked for comfort there. 






I did not dream those joys would end 






Nor knew what 'tis to lose a friend. 






The sweet illusion's fled, 






I know what 'tis to weep : 






My youthful friends are dead, 






In dust my parents sleep. 






No mother's care now soothes my woe. 






Alone the tears of sorrow flow. 





128 MISCELLANEOUS. 



Ah ! there was one most dear, 

ller ver}' lo >k was love, 
Her w'.t was formed to c'aeur, 

Her sympathy to move. 
la Emma's smile there was a bliss, 
And happiness in Emma's kiss 

But ah, in woman's smile. 

Is found a fatal dart : 
It sparkles to beguile, 

It charms to kill the heart. 
Enough of friendship have I known 
Here will I live and die alone." 

The hermit ceased— the music died away, 
There seemed no echo to his mournful lay. 
He rose and Albert met him. With surprise 
He wildly started, and his sunken eyes 
He fixed intently on the stranger's face, 
Till Albert spoke :— 

" My reverend father, peace 
Not to profane your solitude I come, 
But in a ramble far away from home 
From the right path by accident I've strayed." 

HERMIT. 

" 'Twill give me pleasure to afford you aid . 
But night approaches — to my cave repair, 



MISCELLANEOUS. 129 

Aud find a welcome to my homely fare. 
Long bas this mountain cave ray dvvelliu:^- been, 
Nor any human being have I seen. 
Once was I young like you: — all nature smiled, 
I deemed myself fair fortune's happy child : 
Tliat friendship was a blessing, I believed, 
But all, I trusted once and was deceived ! 
My son, when to the world again you gi», 
Shuu faithless woman as your direst foe." 



ALBERT. 

" Why, father, should I gentle woman fear ? 
Was she not formed to comfort and to cheer ? 
From blest society why will you fly — 
None here to smile with you and none to si^h." 



!I E K M ( T . 

" Son, but a little of life's stormy sea, 

You yet have seen ; but now give heed to me — 

When disappointment shall its woes impart 

Becloud your mind , and freeze your glowing heart. 

When love has dazzled with a meteor's ghire., 

Hope's treucherous semblance, luring to despair, 

Then will you find how exupty and how vain 

Are life's enjoyments changing into pain. 

I've seen how false earth's highest bliss can prove, 

I've seen the faithlessness of woman's love." 



17 



130 MISCELLANEOUS. 



ALBERT. 

" Cold-hearted hermit ! judge not womankind 
By one your love has lost and left behind ; 
Like one who madly casts him self away, 
Because his soul is tenanted in clay. 
The world you shun for shades of trouble there,. 
And court the woe-clad spectre of despair. 
Ah who can hear the sympathetic sigh, 
And see the tear-drop iu aiFection's eye, 
Then say, 'enough of friendship have I known/ 
And wander down life's dreary vale alone." 
183a. 



— «♦» 



THE OLD HOMESTEAD. 

" I have sold the old Homestead- In a few weeks it will pass into 
the possession of a stranger." — A Brother''s Letter. 

Home of my childhood ! where the light 
Of life's gray morning beam'd around me ; 
And oft in sorrow's gloomy night. 
Sweet memories to that home has bound me. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 131 



There too what fond memorials rise, 

Of rock and tree and streamlets bubbling, 

The hill that in the distance lies — 

And e'en the geese with constant gabbling. 

Oft then a mother's hand was laid 
In love, that infant forehead pressing, 
As the low breathing prayer she said, 
Seeking in faith the promised blessing. 

And when time brought maturer years, 
Death came, that mother's heart congealing, 
Then sorrow found relief in tears. 
And stirred the sacred fount of feeling. 

Around the fireside and the board, 
Gathered a numerous band fraternal — 
Since gone ; — their exit we deplored. 
But hope their gain is life eternal. 

No more around that homestead hearth. 
That kindred group again shall gather ; 
And soon, we too, shall pass from earth — 
Lot €ke oM homestead go, my brother. 

Yet, in the changes that may come, 
And whether weal or woe be given, 
May we still seek that better home, 
Grace opens for the blest in Heaven. 



1 32 M I S C K M, A N E U ? . 



SUNDAY MORNINa REFLECTIONS. 

Come near iu nacrcy Lorcl^ 

And bless our souls tills day, 
While we may read thy holy word, 

Or meditate or pray. 

From heaven, thy holy seat, 

Look down, Lord, to bless ; 

And while we worship at thy feet. 

Shed down thy heavenly grace. 

And if thy word we hear, . 

Oh may its fruits remain — 
JAke the rich harvest of the year 

Upon the fertile plain. 

Our languid souls inspire, 

Our low affections raise ; 
And may thy renovating fire 

Attune our hearts to praise. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 133 



We mourn our numerous sins, 
That grieve the heavenly dove : 

Scatter each cloud that intervenes 
To hide thy beams of love, 

And when our flesh shall fail, 

And moulder into clay, 
Oh guide our souls thro' death's dark vale, 

To everlasting day. 



INBEPENDEN CE. 

JULY 4., 1776. 
These States are aud of right ought to be free and indepetidant' 

Sons of the brave rejoice ! 
This is our father's voice — 

Children be free. 
Joyful our hearts reply, 
' We will live free or die ; 
Our father's legacy 

Shall sacred be.' 



134 M I S C K I, r, A N R u s 



They, bled, tbo prize to gain, 
Full raaDj a martyr stain, 

Lay on the field ; — 
Yet in the darkest hour, 
Strong was the Patriot's tower, 
But not their own its power — 

God was their shield. 

To him bo homage paid, 

He gives th' oppressed^aid — 

In liim rejoice. 
Nor thank* alone we pay — 
Let us his voice obe.y 
And own his sovereign sway, 

With heart and voice. 



THE TRACT MEETING. 

I put my dollar in — an humble mite, 
But given freely : while a prayer I raised 
That God would bless the offering. The rich 
Of their abundance gave with liberal hand, 



MISCEF, LANKOUS. 135 



And as I luusji upon the blessed work 

My thoughts went out to Birmih. Tliere I saw 

In fancied vision how those messengers — 

Leaves from the trej of life — might bless the world. 

In a thronged city near the Ganges' wave, 

A missionary stood. The sultry tdime 

And blasting simoon gladly he endured, 

Tbat he might bear to the dark millions th. re, 

The Lamp of Wisdom. 

As on western s'.iores, 
From far tlie sons of traffic congregate 
In our metropolis, so merchants camo 
From Ganges' highest spring, and Himla'., base, 
And scholars too, and Bramins gathered the;e — 
To traffic, or to worship, or to learn. 
A venerable man received with joy 
A tract that told of Je.«us. lie had sousht 
In cruel Hindoo rites the spirit's rest. 
But found it not. Report had reached his ear 
Of christian faith, and far he came to learn 
What the new doctrine was, Reading he went 
Five long day's journey to his northern home. 
And in retirement oft he knelt in prayer 
Before the Lord all-seeing. Light and peace 
Came down into his soul, and he rejoiced 
In God his Savior, 

At Lis village home 
Arrived at length, he told to all around, 



136 MISCELLANEOUS 



What he had heard, what witiiu^scd. and what felt. 
Some mocked and others wondered. Oft at eve, 
When gatliered at calm sun-set round the door 
Of some friend's cottage, one did read, 
While others listened to the tracts he broucrht. 
Thus went my fancy forth, and thus methought 
That he who gave a penny in this cause, 
Might preach the gospel in these distant lands, 
Now veiled in gloomy darkness. May that God 
Whose woid they publish, bless the work of love. 
And give the precious seed a large increase. 



LINES 

written on the receipt of a picture of a united heart and liand. 

A lady's hand I often shake — 

'Tis a mere form — I never miod it ; 

Not so dear Stella when I take 

A hand with a warm heart behind it. 

One may possess a loving heart, 

While a warm hand may grace another ; 

Others may fancy them apart ; 

But ffive me heart and hand together. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



137 



THE CHRISTIAN'S DEATH. 

Ob, who would fear to die, 
That knows his sins forgiven ? 

To breathe the last expiring sigh, 
And then to enter Heaven. 



This wilderness of tears, 
This world of woe and pain, 

Is shaded dark with doubts and fears, 
'Tis sorrow's wide domain. 

Beyond the vale of Death 

There is a Heaven, known 
Td the delighted eye of faith, 

"Where sorrow is unknown. 

Crowns of eternal joy 

These ransomed spirits wear ; 
And anthems to their God employ 

Their endless worship there. 



138 MISCELLANEOUS. 



Y. M. Cr A., 1862. 

Tune — Auld Lang Syne. 

Come let us join in song to-night, 

With thankful hearts and true, 
And for our Grod, and for the right, 

Our pledges here renew. 
We've trod the dusty way of life 

Through one more fleeting year, 
And while we mourn a nation's strife. 

Kejoice for blessings dear. 

The tokens of our Father's love — 

His goodness and his grace, 
Shall lift our grateful souls above. 

And swell our notes of praise. 
Some who were here when last we met 

But will be here no more, 
May, in the spirit join us yet 

Though they have gone before. 

We've walk'd in sunshine and in shade 

In fair and stormy day, 
And to the suffering lent our aid 

When duty led the way. 
And thro' the years that yet remain, 

In darksome days or light, 
May duty's path be always plain. 

And we be always right. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 139 



The narrow way is not a waste 

Where no sweet waters flow, 
There fruits are found that suit the taste, 

There Sharon's roses grow. 
Then onward let us press our way 

With steadfast steps and true, 
Till in the blissful realms of day 

We may our songs renew. 



Y. M. C. A., 1863. 

We raise the glad song on this Festival night, 

Rejoicing to labor in aid of the right. 

The world is a scene of commotion and strife, 

And all have a part in the battle of life. 

Trusting in God we'll be marching along, 
He is our hope, in His strength we are strong. 
His word is our sword of defence and our guide, 
Our Leader is Jesus, in him we'll confide. 

The flag of rebellion still floats on the breeze, 
And war's crimson tide stains the land and the eeas, 
Ourselves for our country we cheerfully give, 
For God, for the Truth and our Country we live.] 



140 MISCELLANEOUS 



Treason and wai*, may they soon meet their doom, 
And the stcir of rebellion be shrouded in gloom. 
Oppression and fraud find perpetual end. 
And Religion and Peace in soft radiance blend. 

Be ours the sweet mission of Peace and of Love, 
And our songs blend in concert with anthems above : 
Be our hearts ever warm the afflicted to bless, 
And our hands ever open to aid in distress. 

Thanks to our God, who his blessing bestows, 
He spreadeth our table, our cup overflows. 
In kindness he grants both to do and to will, 
And in doing and suffering blesses us still. 



Y. M. C. A., 1865. 

Tune — America. 

Come, join the festive song ; 
With cheerful notes and strong, 

Raise tbe glad voice. 
From Zion's holy hill 
God sends us blessings still 
Come with the heart and will 

In Him rejoice. 



MISCELL ANEOCS. 141 

Since last we gathered here 
The swiftly fleeting year 

Has passed away. 
And war's malignant night 
Lurid with murderous fight 
Has vanish'd in the light 

Of cheerful day. 

All honor to the brave 
Who to their country gave 

The risk of life. 
And honor to His name 
Who for deliverance came 
Quench'd war's consuming flame 
And heal'd the strife. 

Soldiers of Christ are we 

May He our Leader be 

Till life has past ; 
Be there no traitorous hand 
In this fraternal band, 
Till, saved through grace, we stand 
In Heaven at last 



142 MISCELLANEOUS 



A SISTER'S LAMENT. 

Written at the request of Miss Ann Reynolds on the sudden death of her 
brother soon after the loss of both her parents. 

How calm is the morning, yet soon overclouded, 

How soon the dark storms of adversity roar ! 

Oh, is it my brother ? in death he lies shrouded, 

Oh shall I behold my loved brother no more ? 

From all the endearments of life he is taken, 

Sister and friend in a moment forsaken 

But yet from this slumber of death he'll awaken, 

To Grod I resign him — my brother, adieu I 

In vain shall I moisten his grave with my weeping, 
In vain scatter spring flowers around his cold bed ; 
Dreamless beneath the cold turf he is sleeping, 
Thoughtless of kindred or friends, are the dead. 
How my poor heart is torn ! Oh, the fond recollection — 
Parents and children, in tender connection. 
Closely were bound by the ties of affection ; 
But those ties are broken ! my kindred, adieu ! 

But hush, my pained bosom ! Oh, hush this commotion ; 

Giver of good, to thy will I submit ; 

Oh, may I approach thee in humble devotion. 

In grateful submission fall down at thy feet. 

Tho' death shall deprive me of every relation. 

If I am but thine, Oh my strength, my salvation, 

To thee will I render my heart's adoration ; 

Till we meet in Leaven ! my brother, adieu. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 143 



IN MEMORY OF A. R. 

In vain the tear drop moistens friendship's eye 
When standing round the bed of death, 

Vain is the sad involuntary sigh, 
No love can stay the fleeting breath. 

What tho' beneath those grass grown mounds that rise, 

Parents in death's long silence sleep, 
And o'er the grave where a loved brother lies. 

The solitary orphans weep. 

Yet shall the orphan sink into the tomb ; 

Death will not spare till all are slain. 
We too shall die tho' now in youthful bloom, 

And mingle with the dust again ! 

Yet, we who now on plaintive sorrow's string 

Chant to the memory of the dead, 
And o'er the grave of Ann the requiem sing. 

With her in dust shall rest the head. 

But shall our friends in cold oblivion sleep, 

Shall the freed spirit never rise ? 
Oh for the friends of Jesus cease to weep — 

With Him they dwell above the skies. 



144 MISCELLANEOUS. 

The moral beauty of the ransomed soul, 
Corroding toniLs shall never mar ; 

But it shall bloom where endless ages roll, 
With sin and death no more at war. 



MY PILLOW. 

Welcome, Welcome to my head, 
Loved companion of my bed ! 
Let my chc^k on thee repose, 
Friendly soother of my woes. 

Fancy, through the waking brain, 
Over sleep's illusive chain. 
Oft has crept, and with deligbt 
Filled the solitude of night. 

When disease the body wears, 
Or the mind is torn by cares. 
Though dire pains our bosoms fill, 
Pillow ! thou art welcome still. 

With my head on thee reclined, 
Oh how sweet is peace of mind ! 
Vice and crime and fraud unblest 
Plant with thorns the bed of rest. 



MISCELLANEOUS. Hi 



Tic intoxicating bowl 

Fires the brain ; distracts the scul ; 

Robs the pillow of its joys, 

And man's brightDst hopes destroys. 

Fled are all the dear delights, 
Pleasant dreams and tranquil nights, 
From the poison tainted heart 
Stung by envy's scorpion dart. 

Happier he of forest birth 
Pi'ilowei on the humid earth, 
Who without a sheltering cot, 
Lives contented with his lot. 

Indulgent power ! to mortals kind, 
Grant mo a contented mind ; 
And thy love to fill my breast 
As I on my pillow rest. 

Tncn though sickness waste my framo 
Or dire hate his arrows aim, 
Pillow, thou shalt welcome prove — 
For my Helper is above. 

In this wilderness of tears 
If I sink with weight of years, 
Welcome to my aching head, 
When m.y youth and health aro fled. 

And when I must yield my breath, 
At the stern commaud of death, 
Jesus grant mo quiet rest 
Pillowed on a Savior's breast. 



146 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



TO A HOBIN. 

Wclcomo to our groves again 
Earliest warb!er of the spring ! 
Could I imitate thy strain, 
I would join with thee and sing. 
Thine sweet bird are uotes of joy, 
Songs of praise should mine employ. 

Rising with the rising day, 
How delightful 'tis to rove, 
And to catch thy sweetest lay — 
"Warbler of the vernal grove ! 
Naturo smiles in gladness now, 
Man, why undelighted thou ? 

Why sweet warbler are thy notes 
Always free from sorrow's wail ? 
Not a sound unjoyous floats 
Down the song enlivened, valo. 
Ah I can reply for thee — 
Thou art innocent and free. 



Christian pilgrim, join thy voice, 
And a song of gladness raise ; 
In lledeeming Love rejoice. 
Render to the Savior praise. 
He shall give thy spirit wing 
With the heavenly choir to sing. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 147 



THE MUMMY. 

The curious gaze on this Egyptian damo, 
And vainly seek bcr history to learn : 
But, ah, no fficnd is near to speak her name, 
Or drop the tear of sorrow on her urn ! 
Millions have perished from the face of earth 
Since this frail piece of human dust had birth. 

Yet once among the living she had place, — 
That sightless eye the feeling tear has shed, 
A smile has lighted up that pitchy face, 
Perhaps those feet the nimble dance has led, 
The air perhaps with gratulatioa rung 
As she among the Theban daughters sung. 

Perhaps her hand, now pinioned by her side, 
"Was pressed by Solomon. — Or who can know 
But Pharaoh sought this fair one for a brldo 
Ere in the sea he met his overthrow ? 
How much she loved or suffered none can tell 
What raptures moved her or what woes befell. 

Whate'er she was, wherce'r her dwelling place, 
She is not here. Long since her spirit fled, 
Still doth it live within the bounds of space, 
Ne'er to be numbered with the sleepiDg dead. 
And yet again at the last trumpet's sonnd, 
Of its right owner will this form be found. 



148 MISCELLANEOUS, 



Though she was rich it nought avails- her now, 

To her how vain is wit or beauty's bloom ! 

Marred is the beauty en that blackened brow, 

And wit dcsccn'is not to the catacomb. 

Thrice blest if in the way that Enoch trod 

She walked, and death conveyed her home to God. 

We too shall die : — nor would I wish the art 
That keeps the body back from kindred dust. 
"Bo my first wish a renovated heart, 
And entrance with the spirits of the just. 
Then at the judgment from the conquered tomb 
This dust shall ri-e in youth's immortal bloom. 



AN ORPHAN'S THANKS. 

If to a child were languago given 
The heart's warm feelings to exprosa, 

Then would I ask that bounteous Heaven 
The Orphan's benefactors bless. 

For when we saw our parents taken, 
And to the cold earth borne away, 

We did not know your hearts would waken 
To feed us and for us to pray. 



M I S C K L L A N E U S . 149 



The holy word of God you gave us, 
And early taught us how to read, 

And we have learned how Christ to save us, 
Camo down to suflFer and to bleed. 

We thank you friends for all your kindness — 

A kindness we can ne'er repay ; 
But may you not ungrateful find us, 

Nor may we wander from the way. 



FOR THE FOURTH OF JULY. 

"We welcome the day, wo raise the g^ad song. 
The voice of the free the strains shall prolong, 
We'll sing of his goodness whose pillar of lighfc 
Led through the thick darkness of tyranny's night. 

IIow dark was (ho hour and how dim was the star 

That gleamed on our flag unfurled for the war, 

But soon did the sun-light of freedom arise 

And peace cheered the hea^:ts of the brave and the wise. 



150 BltSCELLANKOUS 



The prize that they sought our fathers obtained, 
The blessings of Peace and Liberty gained, 
To us they bequeathed them and here wo renew 
Our pledge to preserve them untarnished and true. 

In God is our strength, in Him be our trust. 
Ho rules o'er the world — His ways arc all just, 
The nation that fears him exalted shall be. 
And time's latest sunbeam sh"Jl dawn on the frea. 



STANZAS 
Presexted to Mns. J II. on the morxiso of ukk siAnniAOK. 

Mark how trees teach ;— a single stem 
Springs up, no matter what its name — 

Pine, Hemlock, Spruce. 
Years give it strength and beauty too, 
But in the forest where it grew, 

"What is its uss ? 

It was not made to bloom alone. 
And flourish in the wild unknown, 

But this its uso, — 
The workman brings these trees together, 
And fitting one to match the other, 

Thus builds a house. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 151 



Mark now the change ; the lonely trees, 
By tranformation such as these, 

In one are joined : 
Emblem of nuptial blessings this, 
Where heait to heart, in wedded bliss, 

True love doth bind. 

Peace to this hoase ! may it be found 
A place where joys shall cluster round, 

Where blessings meet : 
Where lisping infancy and youth, 
May flourish in the ways of truth, 

In concord sweet. 

May no rude tempest here descend, 
No storms of strife this building rcnJ, 

But all be peace, 
Till worn with age and time's decay, 
Its mouldering pillars waste away 

In Death's release. 



HYMNS 

BlXO AT THE DEDICATION OF GrEEN HiLL CEMETEr.T. 



Tune— Ortonville. 

Lord, we would seek thy guardian hand, 

And in thy goodness trust, 
Whether we with the living stand, 

Or dying, dwell in dust. 



152 MISCELLANEOUS. 

On this Green Hill vre build to-day, 

A city for the dead ; — 
A place of rest for kindred clay, — 

A silent, dreamless bed. 

A numerous tbrong shall gather Lore, 
Yet shall they dwell in peace ; 

Hatred and strife shall disappear, 
And life's collisions cease. 

We'll mourn our loved ones, not as lost- 

But only "gone before ;" 
And hope to meet them on that coast, 

"Where parting is no more. 



Tune — Greenville. 

Life from thee, Lord, receiving, 
By thy hand protected still, 

In thy word and works believing, 
"SVc would iinow and do thy will. 

Grant thy presence. 
On this consecrated hill. 

Dust we are, to dust returning. 
And Earth upon thy breast, 

"When shall end life's brief srjourning, 
Lay we here the dead tj rest. 
Silent mansions. 

With love's fond memorials drest. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 153 

Soon, beneath this turf reposing, 

Grathered in death's sileat sleep, 
O'er our forms the cold earth closing. 

Will its mortal treasure keep ; 

And the marble 

Point the mourners where to weep. 

But to Him who died to save us, 

Grateful praises we will give, 
For the blessed hope he gave us, 

That though dying we shall live. 
Christ has conquered ; 
Glory to his name we give. 



TO A FLY. 

Despicable insect go ! 
Why should you afflict me so ; 
Morning light no sooner beams 
Than you spoil my pleasant dreams. 

Sleep yet hangs upon my eyes, 
Why should ycu so early rise ? 
Sweet the privilege to doze, 
Undisturbed by friends or foes. 



154 MISCELLANEOUS. 



Go : — I would not take thy life, 
Nor remain with thee at strife ;, 
By my hand you shall not die — 
Life is something to a fly. 

Go then, fly, since I'm your friend. 
Do let your vexations end : 
Dip into the cup of those 
Who confess themselves your foes. 

Short your date and so is mine, 
Few the suns that on us shine r 
Winter soon will end your days. 
Soon will end the poet's lays. 



CHUCTENUNDA, 

When first along thy margin strolling. 
Indulging in a daylight dream, 
Joyous I heard thy waters rolling — 
Thou sparkling stream. 

As once when Israel's minstrel daughters 
Went forth with songs the king to meet, 
So pleas'd the music of thy waters — 
Full, flowing, sweet. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 15 J 



I surely thouglifc thy ample fountains, 
That sweird thy dashing waves so high, 
Well'd freely forth 'mongst lakes and mountains, 
And woull not dry. 

But ah, as day by day decreasing, 
Thy waters left their rocky bed, 
I sigh'd lest thy last ripple ceasing. 
Proclaim thee dead 1 

So oft the swelling songs of gladness 
Hope raises in the joyous heart, 
Are chang'd to mournful notes of sadness. 
As hopes depart. 

So fail anticipated treasures, 
As venture's golden bubbles break ; 
So vanish earth's alluring pleasures 
When we awake ! 

But let us check these notes of sorrow ; 
For soon will come the genial rain, 
And thou, fair stream, — perhaps to-morrow, 
Shalt flow again. 

*' Twin Sisters,"* ever kept asunder, 
As both unto the Mohawk wend, 
Ye shall roll on, fair Chuctenunda, 
Till time shall end. 

Amsterdam, Aug., 1854. 

*Chuctenunda in the Indian language signifies "Twin Sisters," and the 
name is given to two similar streams on opposite sides of the Mohawk, 



156 MISCELLANEOUS 



SONG OF THE RUNNING WATERS. 

Dancing o'er my rocky floor. 

CnucTENUNDA comcs once more ; 
Waken'd by the plenteous rain, 

Joyous, I return again. 

Through the fruitful fields of Perth, 

Rolling o'er my bed of earth. 
At Hagaman's I move the mill, 

Then go dashing down the hill ! 

Gathered in a mimic flood 

Where the carpet factory stood, 
I was not a whit to blame, 

That I did not quench the flame. 

He who earth and sea did make, 

Gave a law I cannot break — 
Downward only is my course, 

If I rise, I rise by force. 

When too weak the wheel to turn. 

When I suffer fires to burn, 
Blame not though my channel's dry — 

Are not all my springs on high ? 



MISCELLANEOUS. 157 

And 'tis even so with tliee, 

Boasting man, who e'er thou be ! 
Every gift thy hand possesseth 

Comes from him whose bounty blesseth. 

Though mp rocky bed was dry, 

'Neath the burning summer sky, 
List now Chuctenunda's roar, 

Louder, livelier than before. 

When I reach the Mohawk tide 

Shall I not become a bride ? 
Married, well run on together, 

Through rough storms or sunny weather. 

But I will remember still, 

Amsterdam, thy rocky hill. 
There to art my power I lent, 

There are my last play-days spent. 

Onward gliding to the main. 

Friends shall we not meet again ? 
Buried in the ocean wave — 

Drawn by sunbeams from our grave — 

To the clouds in vapor given, 

By the south wind swiftly driven — 
By the mist or in the rain, 
We will visit you again. 
Amsterdam, October, 1854. 



158 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



THE ARCTIC. 

[This vessel was wrecked off New Foundland by collision witli another 
vessel. A part of the crew found refuge in the boat leaving the passengers 
to go down with the vessel. | 

Light o'er the surging waves sbe speeds her way — 
A palace on the waters. Joyous hearts 
Beat still more gladly as the pent up steam 
Propels them swiftly onward. For the land 
Dearest to those whose hopes are cherish'd there, 
Is near at hand. "What though the day be dark, 
And cold, damp vapors brood upon the waves ? 
A few short hours will give us brighter skies, 
And bring us to the dear ones left at homo. 
So thought the throng of home-bound voyagers 
On board the Arctic. 

From the night of mist 
A ship emerges, and with frightful crash 
The vessels strike ! How fearful is the hour. 
"What wild confusion reigns upon that deck, 
As hope grows fainter, and the awful truth 
Falls on their ears — " The vessel must go down !" 



To man the life boat and construct the raft 
Were now th' appropriate work. His hand 
That formed the deep to bear the freighted ship, 
In safety o'er its bosom, form'd it too, 



MISCELLANEOUS. 159 



Subservient to the wise, essential law 
Of gravitation. He will not reverse 
The laws of nature to sustain the wreck, 
And save the fainting multitude from death. 



There were on that wrcck'd steamer, some, 
Selfish and base of heart, who, though employed 
To give, upon the ocean's dangerous way, 
All possible protection, to aiFord 
The sacrifice of ease, or even life 
For those whose lives depended on their care, 
Yet basely fled, and in their flight destroy'd 
The only means of safety. Vain the call 
Of the commander, vain the piercing cries 
Of sinking passengers. Secure themselves, 
They turned away and left them to their fate. 

In such an hour, when help on all sides fails. 
With the wide waste of waters all around. 
And the dark caves of ocean underneath, 
Where can the soul find refuge but in God ? 

Leaning in confidence upon His arm, 
The Christian is sustained amidst the gloom, 
And agonizing scenes of this dark hour. 
And, as he sinks into the ocean grave, 
Views the dark waters as the gate of life. 



160 MISCELLANEOUS 



A URE L I A . 

The mourner's tear foil on the flower, 
That decked the young Aureila's grave — 
Brighter than when at midnight hour, 
The moonbeam gilds the ocean wave. 

And though the tear in silence rolls, 
It tells of sorrow's keenest dart : 
For 'twas the tie of wedded souls, 
That death relentless broke apart. 

So fade our joys : Yet mortals frail, 
Live on the hopes of future years — 
Still as our joys untasted fail, 
Hope brightly beams through sorrow's tears. 

But why should sorrow gloom the eye, 
Why should we for the Christian weep ? 
Sure, 'tis a privilege to die, 
In Jesus' arms to fall asleep. 

Hope, beaming from the heavenly word, 
Lights up this wilderness of tears ; 
So on a dark and stormy cloud, 
The rain-bow's radiance appears. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 161 



Beyond this vale of death and woe, 
There is a rest to mourners given : 
Then with the Christian I would go 
And find a peaceful rest in heaven. 



A RIDDLE. 

I dwell in the stars, yet am found in mid-earth, 

Am often in sorrow, though sometimes in mirth. 

Nought have I to do with husband or wife. 

And yet I am always in quarrels and strife. 

I am mixed in all liquors that madden or cheer, 

A third part of rum and a fourth part of beer. 

Yet regarding all tippling a shame and a sin, 

I never frequent the saloon or the inn ; 

I shun all confinement in bottles or jugs, 

But am found by the sick people where they sell drugs. 

Political meetings I never attend, 

Democrat and Republican each is my friend, 

Yet am I a great right-of-suffrage promoter — 

And the stamp of his manliood to every voter. 

And now all ye curious throughout the land 

As here at the end of the summer I stand, 

Pleas3 guess out my name ere the Autumn comes round, 

For in that yellow season I never am found. 



162 MISCELLANEOUS, 



TO A HOSE FULL-BLOWN IN APRIL, 

Sweet rose I love to see tbee blossom^ 
And if I could preserve thy bloom, 
I'd g'adly wear thee in my bosom, 
But ah, my breast would be thy tomb. 

Thy own congenial sap must nourish, 
Here on thy stem thou must remain — 
Here and here only thou wilt flourish^ 
And here alone thy sweets retain. 

So blossoms man in moral beauty. 
Imparting fragrance all around : 
"When acting in his sphere of duty, 
"With charity and virtue crowned. 

But should ambition's withering power 
Tear him away to form her wreath — 
Then like this fading gathered flower 
His moral beauty fades in death. 





MISCELLANEOUS. 163 


1 

JUNE. 


Queen of the months ! we welcome thee, ■ 


In deep, green foliage arrayed — ! 


Beauty on every hand we sec, 


That seems too lovely far to fade. ' 


The birds flit jcyous through the air, 


Or neslle on the leafy trees; 


Nor can song- loving man forbear. 


To join in harmonies like these, ,. 


Stern Winter's slow retiring train, 


Leaves many a trace along the way — 


Snow, frost and sleet and chilling rain, : 


Even on the face of lovely May. ' 


But thou, June, hast none of these, 


Thy winds are soft, thy sky serene ; ; 


Thick foliage is on the trees — 


The fields are clad in living green. 


So when the spring-time of our years, 


Has strewn its blossoms on the ground — 


Grown strong midst mingled smiles and tears, 


Manhood in statelier strength is found. 





164 MISCELLANEOUS. 

But ibougli " too fair to fade it seems,''^ 
The summer time will soon be past ! 

Perrennial flowers are fancy's dreams — 
June splendors are too bright to last. 

Life's flowery Spring is quickly past — 
As soon fades manhood's Summer bloom ; 

Even ripening Autumn will not last. — 
Life's Winter is the silent tomb. 



A MOTHER'S RECOLLECTION. 

How joys and troubles mingled flow, 
How vain dependence on to-morrow ; 
And though this world delight us so, 
'Tis but a wilderness of sorrow, — 
Where storms of deep affliction roll, 
And cares and griefs disturb the soul. 

Once on my lap an infant smiled, 
My heart beat with maternal pleasure ; 
I looked through life, and saw my child 
In life's decline, my joy and treasure ; 
Not thinking what a brittle thread 
Keeps trembling mortals from the dead. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 165 



He grew tD nianliood — all was fair, 

As when a calm rests on the ocean, 

We see no tempest gathering there 

To set its billows in commotion : 

Bat ah how false is earthly pride, 

In manhood's proudest strength — he died. 

The most endearing, sweetest ties, 
That bind to earth, by death were riven ; 
But oia the inestimable ptizo, — 
A passport to the bliss of heaven ! 
He was redeemed we humbly trust, 
And angels guard his sleeping dust. 

Our confidence is in the Lord, 
May we secure his approbation ; 
'Tis that alone can peace afford, 
This only can assure salvation. 
In heaven no storms of sorrow roll, 
No grief disturbs the ransomed soul. 



166 MISCELLANEOUS. 



THE LAST SNOW BANK. 

IVe watcli'd it long, I watcli it still, 
Oa the north side ofYankee Hill. 
By the wild winds of Winter lifted, 
Into huge, crystal snowlergs drifted, — 
Last token of stem Winter's reign. 
That snowy pledge doth still remain. 

The sunshine and the April showers — 
So potent in producing flowers. 
In that cDol shade seem scarcely felt, 
So small their power to move or melt. 
Thus mercies oft, and judgments roll 
Alike unheeded o'er the soul. 

But Spring's warm breath will soon efface, 
Of that white mass the latest, trace. 
It — like these lines — will bo forgot. 
And summer blossoms deck the spot. 
To one last word, Snow-bank list ; — 
When thou art gone, thou wilt be mist. 

Amsterdam, April 17, 1860. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 1G7 



ALCOHOL. 

God crowns the earth with bounties. From the soil 
Springs up the finest wheat, and from the vino 
The luscious grapes in purple clusters bend. 
Fruits, pleasant to the taste and good for food, 
Promoting beauty, health and strength in man, 
Are through His gooJness spread in plenty round. 

But in a world of trial, where the world 
Is ever active, and where virtues, high 
And soul-ennobling, can be exercised — 
Where too the curse of sin rests on the race, 
Our blessings must be minirled. 

Could the heart 
Glow with Benevolence if through the world 
There were no woes to heal ? Could charity 
Spread her blest mantle o'er a brother's faults, 
"Were there no frailty ? Or if no restraints 
"Were set to hedge around our wild desires, 
How could wo practice self denial ? So 
If unrestrained our appetites, and nought 
Of herb or fruit or flesh could hurtful prove, 
How test our Temperance? 

Freely to choose 
Where good and ill are both before us set 
To man is given. Wisdom's pleasant ways, 



168 MISCELLANEOUS 



That lead to peace aud life invite, and sin 
With sparkling bowl and revelry and mirth, 
Lures down to sorrow, wretchedness and death I 
31any the witcheries and siren charms 
By which the foul deceiver subjugates 
His willing captives. False and guileful words 
Betrayed our primal mother into sin, 
And lusts that kill the soul, have ever since 
Drawn off the heart from duty and from God. 
Always have there been found forbidden trees 
Whose fatal fruit has show to make one wise. 
Intoxicating drinks, whate'er their name, 
Are full of woe, like Eden's fatal tree. 
The viper lay concealed within the cup 
And with the sparkling of its guileful lure, 
Enticed its victims down to sin and death. 

At length the serpent by the chemist's art, 
Was placed before the world in his own form. 
They called the burning spirit. Alcohol, 
And warning gave that 'twas a deadly fee. 

But ah, what foe so deadly, if it come 
In guise alluring, that it shall not draw 
A crowd of willing worshipers along ? 
The fiery liquid more and more became 
The pledge of friendship. Strength it gave the weak, 
And courage to the timid. 'Twas the seal 
Of bargains and the comforter in woe 
Ah how did men misjudge ! They saw the chains 
Of lacerated victims, and they heard the wail 



MISCELLANEOUS. 169 



Of bitter anguish over all the land, — 

Tlicy saw and pitied, and they knew full well 

Their deadly enemy, yet ptrange to tell, 

That enemy they cherished. Though their sons 

Fell by the alcoholic plague, and ^Yoes 

Of direst import cluster'd in its train, 

They passed the poison'd chalice round, and press'd 

The cup of evil to their neighbor's lips, 

Till, like the pestilence that swept away 

The sinning host of Israel, the plague 

Of drunkenness spreads moral blight and death 

O'er all the land ! 

The sorrowing heart was touch'd 
And some, in pity melted, took their stand 
Between the dead and living. "Light and love" 
Was written on their banner, and the pledge 
Of abstinence was oifer'd as a cure 
For all the ills that Alcohol had brought. 

Thousands embraced the hand held out to he!p, 
And brought once more to their rejoicing homes 
The charities of father, son and brother. 

But ah, how feeble is the frail resolve, 
When combatting temptation ! Appetite 
In foul alliance, plies her potent spell. 
And the poor victin falls ! He would abstain, — 
Most gladly would he dash the cup away, 
But Avarice, trenched beneath the shield of law,, 
Holds out the poisonous lure for paltry gain, 
That tempts and ruins him ! 



170 MISCELLANEOUS, 



Have wc not seen, 
Have wc not felt, and long enough endured 
The work of the destroyer ? May the time 
Be hastened on, when law shall ccaso to be 
The minister of evil ; — when the fountains vile 
Of maddening Alcohol shall cease to flow, 
And Temperance shall bless a sober world. 



A DREAM. 

'Twas midnight in my dream. The finished ycar^ 
Worn out with days and sorrows would depart 
With her report unto the Holy One, 
Who is of Time the Author. One by one, 
She call'd her daughter?, severally charged 
With record of the doings of the year. 

First January came, the elder born ; 

Thick ice was on her bosom, and ia snows 

Her face was muffled. February next 

Came, breathing frost. No genial sunshine beam'd 

Upon their brows, but faithful the report 

Of these two wintry sisters. Griefs and joys, 

The noise of revelry, the wail of woo 

Were blended in their story. — Here was crime, 



MISCELLANEOUS. 171 



And tlicre, tlic deod of goodness brought to light. 
Hero fraud was grasping after unblest gain, 
And there was struggling nature, sinking down 
Beneath the press of Death's cold fingers. — March 
Came blustering next, still wearing Winter's garb, 
She SGem'd like Winter in her ditage. April, then, 
Fitful and peevish, smiling through her tears, 
And then light-hearted May. A flowery wreath 
Adorn'd her brow, and in her lovely eye 
Play'd smiles and cunbeams. 

Then came leafy June ; 
Queen of the Months ! No fitful changes mark 
Her bright and genial reign. Green are the fields, 
And raia and sunshine alternately blend 
Their infl^ienco on the waving foliage. 
July, the sevonth of the sisterhood, 
More ardent, brings the ripened sheaf, 
And urges on the mcwer in his swath. 
Image of life mature, and manhood prime, 
She lets the fiowers decay and looks for fruit. 
August, with dust upon her mantle, came, 
And on here care-worn visago secm'd 
A languor of tlio weary harvest-toil. 
On hor lap she bore ripe cherries, and the fruits 
Of her own ripening were strew'd around. 



In sober and serene maturity, 

Such as life gives us, when its gaudy scenes 

Please less than formerly, and ripen'd fruits 



172 MISCELLANEOUS 



Present their richest clusters, — thus tho year 
Gives us September, ^vith its balmy days. 
October, with her shortened days, and sun 
Subdued in strength, and oft obscured by clouds, 
Comes to us heavy laden, for she brings 
The latter harvest, Frost is on her locks, 
Yet, like some maidens far advanced in years, 
She puts on gaudy colors. But 'tis vain ; 
For soon the wind will sweep these leaves away ! 
Nest dark November comes to tuil her hour 
In the great vineyard of the passing year. 
The heat and burden of the day has been 
By others borne, yet shall her portion be 
Even as theirs. Yea she shall enter in 
To others' labors. And she calls on all 
To raise the heart in thankfulness to Him 
Whe gave the gathered harvest. 

La;;t of all, 
See old December in her snowy robes, 
Breathing the north-wind, and in icy chains 
Binding the brooks an d^foun tains. In the year 
Just ended, she has been so mild, 
"We almost learned to love her. And at last, 
Who cculd forbear to mark how gracefully 
She hung her glorious lantern in the sky- 
To light the New "i'car in. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 173 



A MOPwNING- ON THE HUDSON. 

I waked on board the Knickerbocker. Sleep 
Had been rcfrcsliiog, for the quiet boat 
So gently gliding o'er tlio Hudson wave 
Permitted home like slumber. Misty clouds 
Veiled tbo green bill top?, till the rising sun 
Lifted the veil and showel the rich green slopes 
In sparkling beauty. There was " Wolf Jrts Roost," 
Where Irving found in the sequestered shades — 
Made classic by his legends — rest in age. 
Yonkers sits gracefully among the trees, 
Now dressed in June's full verdure. 

llicher scenes, 
Now open on the view. Rural retreats 
Which wealth has ornamented skirt the shore, 
And please all hearts that do not co^et them. 
" Happy arc they who f:om the city's toll 
Find rest at even in retreats like these." 
So think we wken in passing, wo forget 
That not in loveliest gardens, nor abodes 
By wealth made splendid, nor in balmy groves 
Where the glad birds pour forth their sweetest songs, 
Is happiness a dweller, if the heart 
Have not the elements within itself. 
That yield and nourish it. The fairest flower 



174 MISCELLANEOUS. 

Withers and dies upon the rock, and gifts, 
The richest heaven can give to mortal man, 
"Will fail to bless the hard, unfeeling heart. 

Thick studded with the various sails, the Bay 
Appears in view, aud on its bosom bi'ars 
The commerce of the nations. China here 
Unloads her cargoes of imperial tea. 
And Arabj her spices. From the banks 
Of misty Newfoundland the finny tribes 
Furnish a bounteous tribute, and the farm. 
The factory and workshop, of the vast, 
Outspread interior, bring their products here. 

"Wonderful city ! \:i:o can estimate 
Thy marvGlciTS r.'lvv:i3Q':zczi, as the years 
Enlarge 1 hy Irlbuiary ecci-csg ? Trade, 
That of oU built Vci'ce and c'-d Tyre, 
Shall add its millions ta ilij go!'.'c-ii stores, 
And rear new temple:: to the rocl of gain. 
And yet beware, proud city, I est ;.he plagues. 
That brought old Babylon and Thebes and Tyro 
Down to the dust, may iikowise come on thee, 
If thou for Mammon leave the living God, 
Forgetting that a city's greatness lies 
Not in her wealth and stately pulaces. 
But in the grandeur of her Moral Power. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 175 



THOSE AGED PINES. 

Those aged pines ! the axeman's blow 
Has laid Neff's little forest low ! 
No more beneath their grateful Lhade 
Shall sermon, song or speech be made. 

Ages long past, when Indian trail 
Was the lone pathwny through this T5le, — 
Beneath their shadowing branches came 
The red man in pursuit of game. 

The shaft from his unerring bow, 
Oft laid the deer and pmther low ; 
Nor had he rival in the chase, 
Of either pale or sable race. 

Ilerc the proud chief would often wait 
To meet and woo his dusky mate ; 
And by the moon's romantic light 
Talk through the silent hours of night. 

Those days— that race have passed away I 
And e'en the trees they lov'd to day. 
Are leveled by the axeman's blade, 
A t the demand of greedy trade ! 



17G MISCELLANEOUS. 



THE CLOSING- YEAR. 

Eighteen hundred fifty-seven, 
Thou art gone, and up to heaveD^. 
Every hour to mortals lent, 
Bears the record how 'twas spent. 
And with pleasure or with pain 
Wc shall meet these hours again. 

Thou hadst weeks, and months and hours. 
Times and seasons, fruits and flowers; 
Summer, "Winter, Autumn, Spring, 
Each with blessings on its wing ; 
JBut those seasons are, with thee, 
Past into eternity ! 

While with sorrow wo lament 
Blessing spurned and hours mis-spent^ 
While we view the past and mourn, 
To the coming year we turn ; 
And upon the future look, 
As a sealed unwritten book. 

for guidancD and for grace, 
In that book cur lines to tracvi ; 
That when brought to the review 
They muy prove both pure and true. 
So as years their sands shall run 
We may find each duty done. 

Dec. 29, 1857. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 177 



AN ENIGMA. 

There is a namo of letters seven 
Wlaich to the trump of fame is given, 
And those that riddles like to scan 
May guess it for us, — if they can. 

The first e'er leads the Union cause, 
And never fights against the laws. 
The nest transforms a peaceful word 
To war's c;rim messen2;er — the sword. 



Without the third no king is crowned , 
The prop of govern nent 'tis found. 
The fourth fails not in right and order, 
And guards the name of the Eecordee. 

Of number five we little write, 
Because it's so indefinite. 
The sixth is seen in sun and moon, 
By night, in morning or at noon. 

The seventh is a little sprite. 

Amidst the battle, last in fight; 

The end of wit, and — did you know it — 

This little sprite made Poe a poet. 



178 MISCELLANEOUS, 



WINTER SONG., 

Say not that the world is dreary, 
Though in winter garments dressed ;; 

Be not of life's duties weary — 
Labor sweetens hours of rest. 



Wait not the unknown tomorrow 
For the good deed thou wilt do ; 

Are there not some scenes of sorrow — 
Hearts that might be cheered by you ?- 

Were there nought of self denial, 

No afflictions could there be. 
Where were then the needful trial ? 

Where the spirit's victory ? 

In the tempest, grandly sweeping, 
In the sunshine bright and fair, 

We alike are in his keeping 
Who protects us by his care. 

Sheltered thus, what should alarm us 
In the darkest night of life ; — 

Sin alone has power to harm us, 
Even in the dying strife. 



MISCELLANEOUS 



179 



Let us live, each gift enjoying 
That our Father's hand bestows- 

Life, the chiefest gift, employing 
In His service till its close. 



MOUNTAIN AND VALLEY. 

Toil-worn and weary, thy sublime ascent, 
Lofty Aseutney, I at length have g lined. 
From earliest childhood, I was wont to view 
Thy venerable form, and to admire 
Thy solemn grandeur, but have never climbed 
Thy granite heights till now. Thou wast to me, 
In semblance and in form, a Pyramid. 
But Pyramids that tower on Egypt's plains, 
Turning the mind to old antiquity. 
Are not so grand as thou art. Proudest kings 
With al! a nation's wealth at their command, 
■Could never build like Him who built the world. 
And thou art older too than they. The Nile 
And all the mountains that conceal its source. 
Are thy contemporaries. 



How the scene 
Spreads out in loveliness, far to the North 
Where Dartmouth trains her sons, and sends abroad 



180 MISCELLANEOUS 



A host of worthy names. Chase, Webster, Choate, 

Arc on its records^ but stand not alone. 

Scores too of lovely villas deck the vales 

Along thy tributary streams. Here at thy foot 

Lies Windsor, famed for literary lore, 

And yonder, Claremont, in various arts 

Congpicuous. 

Thou too, Connecticut ! 
That in such swollen pomp dost roll along — 
A tribute to old ocean. I will take 
My onward way beside thee, and will mark 
Thy stately flow, as on thy sinuous course 
Thou downward rollest. But it shall not be 
Eeturulcss and forever. Upward still — 
Attracted by the mighty Sun whose beams 
Cheer and enlighten this revolving globe — 
Freed from thy grosser particles, in mist 
Again thou shall ascend, and yet again 
Impart to flower and fruit refreshing rain. 

So may our spirits, purified from earth, 

And, by the sun of Righteousness still drawn, 

Rise upward, still fulfilling the great end 

Of our immortal being, though it be 

As the small rain-drop on the flower, or dew 

On withering herbage, or to shine — 

A particle reflecting glorious light 

In the hright rainhow of Celestial Love. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 181 



HYMN 

StTNO AT THE OPENING OP THE NeW IIalL, T. M. C. A., 18G1. 

Raise, raise the voice of song ! 
Thanks to our God belong 

To Him be praise. 
Kept by His guardian hand, 
We in His presence stand ; 
May we, a joyous band, 

Glad anthems raise. 

Friends, brothers, sisters, all. 
Welcome to this new Hall, 

With us rejoice. 
Let us our offer logs bring — 
Fruitage and flowers of Spring, 
And in full concert sing, 

With heart and voice. 

And through life's fleeting day 
As o'er its devious way 
Our footsteps move, 
May we its duties share. 
Its needful trials bear, 
• And, through rich grace prepare 
For bliss above. 



182 MISCELLANEOUS. 



TRIBUTARY LINES. 

TO THE MEJIOUY OF MRS. ELIZA E. HAYWOOD, WCO DIED JULY 26, '62 

Yes, I'll remember her. The rugged way 
Of life's uncartain pilgrimage, we trod 
Together through the scenes of passing years, 
Each shcring, in the mutual cares of life, 
The other's burdens. On tbe various theme?, 
Moral and social, which divide the world 
Into conflicting bands, our views were one, ' 
And in our life's great purpose — that to Him 
Who wrought redemption for us, we might be 
United by that earnest trusting faith 
*' Which works by love and purifies the heart" 
Our kindred souls accorded. 

Blessings crowned 
The lives, so long in tender mercy spared, 
And when the time of separation came, 
In mercy she was spared the bitterness 
Of dying : — for shs went as one to sleep. 
Rest came unto the weary, and the hour, 
That comes to all, came Uato her — to die. 
Happy are those who have their work well done. 
And, watching waii at duty's honored post, 
Till He who gave us life, in his good time. 
And in the manner he shall deem the best, 
Shall call us hence. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 183 



A higher, better life — • 
The purchase of atoning blood — awaits the soul 
That loves the Savior. Thither may our thoughts — 
Rising above earth's groveling pleasures, tend. 
And, till the spirit's "silver cord be loosed," 
May Faith that works by love so dwell in us, 
And so abound, that for that better life 
Grace may account us worthy. 



THE BETTER LAND. 

C. Pilgrim in the lowly vale 

Who inquiringly doth stand, 
Questioning with tearful wail 

" Is there not a better land ?'' 
Has thy pathway been so dreary 
That thou of the world art weary ? 

P. I have followed pleasure's train, 
Trod the giddy paths of mirth, 
Sought for bliss in sordid gain — 

Dragging down the soul to earth. 
But in neither found the treasure 
That would yield enduring pleasure. 



184 MISCELLANEOUS. 

Now a pilgrim sad I turn, 
And that better land I seek. 

Lead luc where your altars burc, • 
Let me hear the truths you speak. 

What shall heal my spirit's anguish, 

Where's the good for which I languish ? 

C. Pilgrim, thcugli the world is fair, 

That for our sojourn is given, 
Sweeter fields are blooming there — 

Where the blessed rest, in Heaven. 
There all blest perfections centre, 
There no sin nor sorrow enter. 

P. Tell me, Christian, of the way 

To that land of rest and peace ; 
Who shall guide me lest I stray, 

Who shall give from sin release ? 
Who has trod the way before us. 
Who shall spread his banner o'er us ? 

C. He who gave himself to die, 

He who triumph'd o'er the grave, 
And ascended up on high — 

He alone has power to save. 
Grace and Faith from Him receiving, 
We are saved through our believing. 



MISCELLANEOUS; 166 



OLD LETTERS. 

I brouglit a box down from the garret, 
Fill'd with old letters, soil'd and gray, 
Not one so mean that I would tear it. 
Or, without reading, throw away. 

Those letters ! oh, what pleasant traces 
They bring to view of days long past, — 
The mem'ry of familiar faces, 
And youthful hopes — too bright to last. 

Pledges that were sincerely given 
In young affection's fervid glow, 
Have been by time and distance riven, 
Or crush'd in Death's dissolving blow! 

Departed friends — the thoTlght is pfeei^ds— ^ 
They visit us in thdse otice tiaot-e; 
Their wttfda, tb^ir thoughts, ris6 ttj ?e^relsh US, 
From this long-elumberiiig, sAbi'cid store. 

No, these memorials must not perish. 
Lines from the living and the dead i 
Friends of my youth, still will t cherish 
Lessons of truth ye wrote or said. 



186 MISCELLANEOUS. 



"I NEED RELIGION NOW." 

[This was the remark of a young lady brought rapidly down from the 
gayeties of life to her dyio<j bed.} 

When life's gay scenes are fair and bright 
And youth and health appear enduring, 

Earth's pleasures dance before the sight, 
In visions transient and alluring ; — 

Would serious thoughts befitting seem, 

Amidst the joys of youth's sweet dream ? 

But 'midst tho fairest summer flowers, 
The serpent's coils are sometimes hidden ; 

And 'midst life's gayest, festive hours, 
Disease and death may come unbidden. 

And when from view these joys recede, 

What can supply the soul's great need ? 

Keligion's consecrated light 

Heaven's glories to the soul revealing, 

Alone on sin and sorrow's night 

Sheds down the Spirit's beams of healing. 

Soul, with death's damp upon thy brow, 

Dost thou not need Religion now ? 

The pathway may be strown with flowers, 
The cheek may wear the blush of beauty, 

But fruitless still our moral powers, 
If failing in our first great duty. 

Homeless and weary shall we be, 

O Savior, till we come to thee. 



MISCELLANEOUS 187 



THE OTHER SIDE. 

By Faith alone wo look beyond the veil 
That hides the spirit land from mortal view. 
Though short may be the distance, and the friends 
That pass before us through the gates of death 
May still be near us, and may love us yet, 
It is not given to mortal ears to list 
The harmonies of heaven. 

Yet we know, 
(For so the Bible blest assurance gives) 
That to the Christian it is gain to die. 
Though earth is fair, and earthly loves are sweet, 
Though Wisdom's ways ara pleasant, and the soul, 
Finds much to draw it earthward, yet the joys 
Most preciovis to the heart shall still endure 
When death and sorrow shall have passed away. 

Then let us trust, in confidence and faith 

Our buried friends to Him who conquered death 

And triumph'd o'er the grave. Their earthly house 

To kindred dust shall moulder in the tomb 

Till rais'd again to an immortal life. 

But who can say what angel bands await 

The soul's release from prison ? Could we see, 

As was vouchsafed Elisha, could we see 

The glorious convoy — but 'tis better thus. 



188 MISCELLANEOUl 



That, ■while sojourning in the flesh, our faith 
Should give us glimpses of the scenes beyond. 
Thanks to our Savior for that "surer word 
Of Prophecy " la erring mortals given ; 
Thanks for the tokens oi his changeless love. 
And for his. boundless goodness. All the way, 
Through life's momentous pilgrimage, he gives 
That chart to guide our footsteps, and to light 
The soul in times of darkness. 

He will cause 
All things to work together for the good 
Of those who truly love him, and will give, 
According to his promise, crowns of life, 
To all his children faithful unto death.. 
So may we live, still guided by His grace, 
That Joy shall e'er attend on Duty's path.. 
That under all life's trials we may yield 
Heartfelt submission, and when Death shall come 
To cut those bands that fetter us to clay, 
We may be ready ; and in joyous hope 
Await the summons to the other side. 



CONTEN T S . 189 



CONTEiSTTS. 



Page. 

To the Reader, - - - - - - 5 



SCRIPTURE SKETCHES. 

Adam, ------ 7 

Noah, - - - - - - 9 

Job, -.-..- 11 

Lot, - - - - - - 14 

Joseph, ---._. 18 

Moses, - - - - - - 22 

Naomi, .----_ 25 

Elijah, - - - - - - 28 

Daniel, - - - - - . - 32 

Stephen, - - - - - - 35 

Paul at Athens, ... - - 39 

The Golden Calf, - - - . - - 42 



ALBUM VERSES. 

To Mrs. C. H., - - - - - 45 

To A, B., - - - - - - 47 

Introductory Lines, ----- 48 

To Isabel, - - - - . - 49 

Friendship, Truth, Love, - - - - 50 

Progress, - - - - - - 51 

Lines in Clarissa's Album, - - - . 62 

To Harriet, - - - - - - 53 



190 CONTENTS 



Inti'oductor}', . - _ . _ 54 

To Emily, - - - . - - 56 

Introductory' Lines, .. - . - _ 57 

Introductor}' Lines in a Young Lady's Album - - - 58 

To Mrs. E. E. IL, . - ... 60 



NEW YEARS' ADDRESSES. 

For 1836, - - - - - - 61 

For 1842, ..... 66 

For the West Troy Advocate, 1846, - - - - 71 

For 1R56, --.... 76 

For 1862, - - - - - - 80 

For 1863, ..... 85 

Fjrl866, - - - - - - 90 



MISCELLANEOUS. 

Sabbath Morn, - - - - - 95 

Dash the Cup Away. - - - - - 96 

Retrospection, ----- 98 

ThanksgiTiug Hymn, - - - - - 99 

The Choice ----- 101 

The Court of Death, - - - - - 103 

To the Ice in the Hudson, .... io5 

Cemetery Musings, ..... 107 

Tiibutary Lines, ..... no 

Undying Love, ..... 112 

To Some Blue Birds - - - • - - 113 

Attractions, ...... 114. 

The Pigeons and the Men, - - - - 117 

Trojan Scenery, ..... 119 

Benares, - - - - - 123 

Morning Hymn, ..... 124 

Troy Orphan Asylum, - . . , 125 

The Hermit, - - - - - - 126 

The Old^Homestead, .... 130 

Sunday Morning Reflections, .... 132 

Independence, ..... 133 

The Tract Meeting, - - - - - 134 



CONTENTS 



:9i 



Heart and Ilaud, - - - ' - - l^''^ 
Ihc Christian's Death, ----- l'J7 

For the Touns; Men's Christian Associatioa, 18G2, - - 138 

Y. M. C. A., 18G3, ... - - r.;9 

Y. M. C. A., 18G5, ----- 1 to 

A Sister's Lament, ----- 112 

In Memory of A. R., - - - - l'^^ 

My Pillow, - - - - - - 144 

To a Robin, ----- 14G 

The Mummy, - - - - - - 147 

An Orphan's Thanks, . . - - 148 

For the Fourth of July - - - - - 149 

Stanzas to Mrs. J. H., . . - - 150 

Two Hymns, (Green Hill Cemetery) - - • l^Jl 

To a Fly, - - , - - - 153 

Chuctenunda, - - - - - 154 

Song of the Running Waters, . - - - 25G 

The Arctic, - - - - - - 158 

Aurelia, , . - - . IgO 

A Riddle, - - - - - - IGl 

To a Rose fnll blown in April - - - - 1G2 

June, - - • - - - 1G3 

A Mother's Recollection, ... - ig4 

The Last Snow Bank, - - - - -IGO 

Alcohol, ----- 1G7 

A Dream, ....-- 170 

A Morning on the Hudson - - - - 173 

Those Aged Pines, - - - - - 175 

The Closing Year, - - - - - 17G 

An Enigma, -.--.- 177 

Winter Song, - ... - 178 

Mountain and Valley, - - - - .179 

Dedication Hymn, Y. M. C. A , - - - 181 
Tributary Lines, ----- 182 

The Better Land, ----- 183 

Old Letters, - - - - - - 185 

"I Need Religion Now," . - - - 18G 

The Other Side, - - • - -187 



Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1866, by 

XENOPHON HAYWOOD, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for 

THE Northern District of New York. 



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